Lagos-based
lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo and 22 other senior lawyers were, yesterday,
shortlisted for elevation to the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, by
the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC.In a statement it issued
yesterday, LPPC, through its Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme
Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, said it had already fixed July 8 and 9 to
interview intending SANs with a view to ascertaining their suitability for the
rank.
The rank confers
certain privileges on the holder, among which are sitting in the front row of
any court in Nigeria and judges ensuring that cases involving SANs are called
up first.
Meanwhile, LPPC,
yesterday, maintained that members of the public are at liberty to comment on
the integrity, reputation and competence of any of the applicants, adding that
such comments should be submitted to it on or before July 7.
Aside Keyamo,
other lawyers shortlisted for the rank yesterday were: Mr. Gerald Godwi
Ezeuko, Samuel Otseilu Zibiri, Dr. Joshua Olatoke, Dr. Adewale Olawoyin,
Olusola Idowu, Chukwudi Obieze, Kelvin Nwufo, Chief Wale Taiwo, Dr Theophilus
Onigbinde, Teslim Busari, Olatunde Adejuyigbe.
Others are Mr.
Richard Akintunde, Sylvanus Ogwemoh, Adeqale Adesokan, Tawi Tawo, Andrew
Igbokwe, Chike Onyemenam, Fredson Alexander, Dr. Amuda Kannike Abiodun,
Oluwakemi Balogun, Ahamefula Ejelan and Hakeem Olatunde.
However,
Paragraph 22(1) of the LPPC guidelines permits the withdrawal of the rank from
its holder, if such person is adjudged by the LPPC to have conducted himself in
a manner incompatible with the dignity and honour of the rank.
Likewise, if the
person is found guilty of professional misconduct by the Legal Practitioners’
Disciplinary Committee, or convicted by a court of law for any offence, which
in the opinion of the LPPC is incompatible with the honour and dignity of the
holder of the rank, such as an offence relating to breach of trust, theft or
other offences involving fraud or dishonesty, the rank can be withdrawn.
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