BOSAN

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: LPPC AWARDS SAN RANK TO APPLICANTS WHO FAILED FINAL TEST

When the ceremony for conferment of the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) holds on November 27, 2023, at least three SAN designates who failed to meet the 90 percent pass mark set by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) would be garbed with the silk robe, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Unimpeachable sources who are familiar with the screening process told CITY LAWYER that not only did the LPPC lower its cumulative 90 percent benchmark to award the prestigious rank to the three applicants, it may have taken on board the suggestion by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that all the 57 advocates who went in for the final oral interview should be appointed.

This is coming against the backdrop of strident and prolonged efforts especially by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to restore meritocracy and prestige to the SAN awards. The clamour led to reforms which culminated in the “2022 Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and for Related Matters.”

It is recalled that the LPPC under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had at its 159th plenary session held in Abuja appointed 57 advocates and one academic as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

A high-ranking source, who participated actively in the screening of the applicants by the NBA General Purpose Committee (GPC) prior to the LPPC final oral interview, told CITY LAWYER that the association strongly canvassed in its report to LPPC that all 57 advocates who scaled the second filtration should be awarded the rank.

Confirming this position, another unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that the NBA urged that all applicants who scaled the chambers inspection should be given the award irrespective of their performance at the final oral interview.

It was unclear at press time whether NBA’s recommendation swayed the LPPC to lower its benchmark for the below-par SAN designates, even as CITY LAWYER gathered that at least one of the SAN designates may have scored as low as about 80 percent, 10 percentage points off the cumulative 90 percent pass mark.

CITY LAWYER recalls that BOSAN had written to then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad via a letter dated September 21, 2021, and signed by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke (SAN), and Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), expressing its concerns on the declining standards in the SAN awards process. This quest contributed to the issuance of the 2022 SAN Guidelines aimed to reform the awards. The 2023 SAN awards exercise is the first test of the implementation of the 2022 Guidelines.

The 2022 Guidelines provides in Article 1 that “The award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a privilege conferred as a mark of excellence on members of the legal profession ….”

Setting out the “principles” for the award of the rank which place premium on merit, the Guidelines state in Article 2(b) that “applications will be considered with merit as the primary consideration and without regard to ethnic origin, pedigree, physical disability, marital status, age, religious belief, political views or affiliations.”

Article 24 of the Guidelines deals with “Interview of Shortlisted Candidates,” while Article 24(4) sets out 9 items and their corresponding attainable scores, totaling 100 percent. These include comportment, integrity, quality of presentation, general knowledge of law, and contribution to development of law.

The top-ranking NBA-GPC official told CITY LAWYER that the NBA screening exercise “was very successful. All the candidates distinguished themselves and were all recommended. We had recommended the candidates, having scored them highly. The prerogative of award usually lies with the LPPC. We wish them luck at the interview of the LPPC.” 

Speaking after the LPPC announced its final shortlist, the source said: “We were glad the LPPC accepted our recommendations and all the applicants in the advocates category were awarded the rank. We thank God for his mercies.”

When CITY LAWYER contacted Hajo Bello, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee via a text message, she responded tersely: “I am not privileged to be answering your questions. You may write officially.” Though CITY LAWYER requested an email address to send in an enquiry, the LPPC Secretary had not responded at press time.

Also, efforts to access the LPPC through its official website (https://lppc.gov.ng/) proved abortive as the website is inactive. The website through which the Committee received applications for the awards (https://lppconline.com/) also has no information on its advertised “Contact” link.

It is recalled that controversies have trailed award of the SAN rank over the years, leading BOSAN to canvass that the awards should be paused to allow for reforms. This led to the 2022 Guidelines which sought to tighten the award process and make it more credible and devoid of controversies.

Meanwhile, applicants from the South West Zone dominate this year’s award list, taking the lion’s share of 19 slots. While South East took the second position with 12 slots, it is closely followed by North Central with 10 slots and South South with 8 slots. North West had three slots on the awards list while North East brought the rear with only two SAN designates.

The BOSAN letter to then Chief Justice of Nigeria, who statutorily doubles as Chairman of the influential LPPC, was titled “RE: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE’S LISTING OF 130 LAWYERS AS SHORTLISTED IN THE PROCESS FOR CONFERMENT WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA FOR THE YEAR 2021: REITERATION OF THE BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA’S (BOSAN) STRONG NOTE OF CONCERN ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE RANK.” Mr. Abubakar Malami, then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, was copied on the letter.

The letter reads: “It is not willy-nilly that all candidates that meet the set criteria should be appointed in any given year, as such an approach cannot but result in the degradation of the rank. It is those that prove to be outstanding within the shortlist that should be conferred with the rank. This is the time-honoured rule applied in relation to admissions to all reputable institutions in situations where competition is high and spaces are limited and where it would be inappropriate to accommodate all those persons who appear to have met the criteria.

“There is even a greater need for more stringent approach in cases where appointments are to be made on the basis of academic accomplishments.”

According to BOSAN, “It has now become necessary that we reiterate, respectfully, the concerns raised in the body’s earlier letter. The members of the Inner bar are concerned that the current procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would result in a watered-down perception of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We are also of the considered opinion that it is imperative that the Committee pauses and reassesses the procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as we fear that that (sic) the process could be reduced to a ‘mere compilation and submission of the listed documentation’ in the next few years, with no attention to excellence or distinction in the practice of law.

“In light of this, we write to reiterate our earlier recommendation that the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria be put on hold to enable the Committee to conduct and publish a credible and comprehensive review of the process for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

Pledging its support of the review process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

It noted the urgency of its Save-Our-Soul letter, adding: “We would like to point out that a comprehensive review of the screening process is an urgent and necessary step to retain the dignity, respect, and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general. The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is still committed to providing its expertise and support at every stage of the review process and we are anticipating positive feedback and implementation of the recommendations in this letter.”

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BOSAN MOURNS, AS AKANBI IS BURIED TODAY

PRESS RELEASE

NOTICE OF DEMISE – PROF. MUHAMMED MUSTAPHA AKANBI, SAN

The BOSAN Secretariat sadly announces the demise of Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, SAN, who died yesterday, Sunday, 20th November, 2022.

Late Prof. Akanbi was born on the 24th of January 1971 (51 years), to the family of late Hon. Justice Muhammed Mustapha Adebayo Ajao Akanbi. He hails from the Ile Magaji Kemberi, Awodi, Gambari Quarters, Ilorin East, Kwara State.

He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1993 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995.

Prof. Akanbi served as a Legal Assistant in the Legal Unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lagos. He practiced in the Law Firms of Wole Bamgbala & Co, Lagos, Olawoyin and Olawoyin, Lagos and Ayodele, ‘Gafar & Co, Ilorin between 1996 and 1998.

In 1998, Prof. Akanbi proceeded to the University of Lagos, Akoka where he bagged a Masters Degree in Law (LLM) and obtained a Doctorate Degree in Law (Ph.D.) from the King’s College, University, London in 2006.

In August 1998, Prof. Akanbi joined the service of University of Ilorin as the Lecturer 2 in the Department of Business Law at the University’s Faculty of Law. In his over two decades career period at the University Prof. Akanbi held several administrative positions, chief of which were; Sub-Dean, Head of Business Law Department, Postgraduate Representative, Senate Member, Dean of Law, Deputy Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) and Director, School of Preliminary Studies, Fufu Campus, University of Ilorin, he rose through the ranks and was appointed a Professor of Law in the Department of Business Law in October, 2012.

Prof. Akanbi also served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch between 2007 and 2009. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2018.

Prof. Akanbi has over 60 national and international publications in reputable peer reviewed Journals with a bias in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Arbitration Law. Until his death, Late Akanbi was the Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University (KWASU).

He will be buried in Ilorin today, Monday, November 21, 2022 in his country home according to Islamic rites.

May the soul of Prof. Akanbi and the souls of our departed members Rest in Peace. Amen

Signed:

Mr. Olumide Sofowora, SAN
Secretary

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Oct 28, 2022
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  • Comments Off on EXCLUSIVE: NEW SAN GUIDELINES ‘EMERGE,’ PEG AWARD TO 1 ACADEMIC

EXCLUSIVE: NEW SAN GUIDELINES ‘EMERGE,’ PEG AWARD TO 1 ACADEMIC

• FAR-REACHING REFORMS, TOUGH SANCTIONS IMMINENT

* BOSAN, NALT MAY GET SCREENING ROLES

* N1 MILLION APPLICATION FEE

Only the best applicant in the Academic Category will be conferred with the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the 2023 preferment exercise, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the decision is in line with the intendment of the original drafters of the Guidelines that the award to academics should be made only in “exceptional cases.”

According to documents obtained by CITY LAWYER, aside from showing evidence of full-time teaching and research in a faculty of law in a reputable university duly accredited by both the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education, a recognized legal research institute or the Nigerian Law School for at least 10 years immediately preceding the application, the applicant must be a professor in such institution, and must have been so for at least two years preceding the application, except if applicant is a Director-General of the Nigerian Law School.

Though controversy is trailing a purported ‘gazetted’ copy of the eagerly awaited 2022 Guidelines to be issued by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) of the Body of Benchers, multiple sources told CITY LAWYER that a whopping N1 Million is the new application fee for applicants seeking to be conferred with the rank, up from N300,000 in 2013 and N600,000 in the 2018 Guidelines. This is aside from a N200,000 “processing conferment fee” for successful applicants in the last exercise. Unlike the 2013 and 2018 Guidelines, the new rules may be silent on the exact amount to be paid as application fee.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the LPPC has cut the period for which applicants must have attained partnership in their law firms from five to two years preceding the application.

CITY LAWYER gathered that applications may now close on January 31 of every year, even as applicants may be required to provide the exact number of judgments required by the Guidelines and list the judgments in order of significance, unlike previously when applicants were allowed to dump as many cases as possible on the LPPC. The number of “final judgments” to be submitted by each applicant under the Advocates Category however remain unchanged at 20 judgments at the trial court level, five Court of Appeal judgments and four Supreme Court judgments.

However, in a move said to be designed to aid decongestion of court cases and ameliorate lengthy adjournments at the appellate courts, the Guidelines may provide that applicants who have valid pending appeals before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria in which briefs have been settled prior to the making of the Guidelines and which appeals have been pending before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria for a minimum of 7 (seven) years, and who are able to settle such appeals amicably by entering into terms of settlement and by submitting to consent judgments, will be permitted to count a maximum of 2 (two) such consent judgments as part of their cases. Aside from other criteria, this requirement will operate for only five years in the first instance.

The new Guidelines may contain an elaborate sanctions and disciplinary regime which bar provision of false and misleading information as well as lobbying by applicants. Defaulters will be “blacklisted” and barred from applying for the rank for three to 10 years. Accomplices who are already Senior Advocates of Nigeria may have their rank withdrawn aside from possible prosecution.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that the Guidelines may also codify both physical and virtual inspection of applicants’ chambers, even as the LPPC may co-opt Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and National Association of Law Teachers (NALT) members in the screening of final judgments and articles submitted by the advocates and academics respectively.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria & Secretary to LPPC, Hajo Sarki Bello had in a press statement dated 29th September, 2022 noted that “The meeting (of LPPC) further approved a new Guidelines for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters pertaining to the rank to guide future exercises.”

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BUHARI, BOSAN, CARDINAL HAIL NGIGE ON NATIONAL HONOUR

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on respected Bar Leader and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN, OFR).

In an “Instrument of Conferment of National Honour” sighted by CITY LAWYER, Buhari stated that the honour was bestowed on the leading litigator “in recognition of your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria.”

The honour coincides with the 20 years anniversary of Ngige’s conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Meanwhile, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpareke are among several bodies and individuals who have commended Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN, OFR) on the award of national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Congratulating Ngige among other members who received national honours, BOSAN wrote: “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) felicitates its eminent members on being conferred with the National Honour by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

On his part, Cardinal Okpareke, who is the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese of the Catholic Church, stated that “This is a recognition, at the national level, of your contribution to humanity and to Nigeria in a special way.”

Okpareke, who was recently ordained a Cardinal by Pope Francis, stated that “You have contributed to the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria both in your professional career as a lawyer and in your administration of the Council of Legal Education,” adding that “Our prayer is that God who has sustained you and given success to your labors (Ps 90(89):17) will continue to bless you and inspire many more people to take after your example of service to humanity.”

Meanwhile, a group called “Friends of Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN” and comprising about 200 signatories 145 of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, also felicitated with Ngige on the award. The group also donated sundry medical equipment worth millions of naira to support Ngige’s pet project targeted at revamping the moribund infrastructure at the Nigerian Law School.

Others who also commended Ngige on the award include the Council of Legal Education (CLE); Class of 1985 of the Nigerian Law School which is chaired by Ngige; Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC); Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society); Dominican University, Ibadan; former Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Mr. Samuel Zibiri, SAN; Mr. Rotimi Oguneso, SAN and Alor Dinma Initiative (ADI), to name a few.

More encomiums were poured on the respected Bar Leader and member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) at a post-investiture reception which held at Gwarinpa, Abuja. The event was attended by many dignitaries especially judges of the Federal High Court, members and top management of the Council of Legal Education/Nigerian Law School, as well as senior lawyers and government officials.

Among those who attended the reception were former Transport Minister, Chief Chibuike Amaechi; the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu; Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Garba Shehu; Director-General of Nigerian Law School, Dr. Isa Hayatu Chiroma SAN; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN; Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Awomolo, SAN; Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Mr. Emeka Obegola SAN; former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN and his successor-in-office, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN.

Others are HRM Igwe Ebubechukwuzo Collins Chukwumesili, the traditional ruler of Alor; Prof. Samuel Alege, Chairman of Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, Clerk of the Senate; Mr. Ahmed Al-mustapha, former Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as well as members of the 1985 Nigerian Law School set and 1984 University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) Law Class.

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FEWER SENIOR LAWYERS MAKE 2022 SAN LIST

• 20 ADVOCATES, 47 ACADEMICS DROPPED

* BOSAN WINS, AS LPPC REJIGS SAN GUIDELINES

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has unveiled 62 senior lawyers who made the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria for the 2022 preferment programme.

A breakdown of the list showed that the lawyers comprised 9 academics and 53 advocates.

The number is 10 short of the 72 senior lawyers that were conferred with the new rank last year. Meanwhile, a whopping 67 of the 129 lawyers who made the 2022 shortlist also fell by the way side.

Of the 73 shortlisted advocates, 53 were conferred with the rank while 20 did not make the list. Most of the shortlisted applicants who did not make the final list came from the Academics Category where a whopping 47 were dropped, leaving only nine of the 56 applicants originally shortlisted by the LPPC.

A total of 137 lawyers were shortlisted for the rank in 2020 — with 116 advocate applicants and 21 academic applicants. Just as in 2021, 72 senior lawyers made the list of successful candidates while 65 fell by the way side.

The Committee is also set to unveil new Guidelines for the 2023 application season. The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has especially been vocal is canvassing an overhaul of the awards regime in order to restore the rank to its glory days. BOSAN had also urged that the awards should be paused while the review subsisted.

Among the new SAN-designates are three Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutors, namely Messrs Wahab Shittu, Sylvanus Tahir, and Rotimi Oyedepo.

Others are former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo; former Oyo State Attorney-General, Mr. Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo; University of Lagos scholar, Prof. Gabriel Amokaye, as well as Messrs Andrew Malgwi, Godson Ugochukwu, and Oladipo Akanmu Tolani.

A statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Sarki Bello, said the SAN-designates would be inaugurated on 21st November, 2022.

The full text of the statement reads:

29th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) under the chairmanship of His Lordship, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, at its 154th plenary session held today 29th September, 2022, has approved the elevation of 62 legal practitioners to the Inner Bar. The rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.

The swearing – in ceremony of the 62 legal practitioners is scheduled to take place on Monday the 21st day of November 2022.The new appointees for year 2022 exercise are:

ADVOCATE APPOINTEES (IN ORDER OF SENIORITY AT THE BAR)

1. MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI ABUBAKAR, ESQ.
2. JOHNSON TARIGHO OMOPHE UGBODUMA, ESQ.
3. LAWRENCE SUNDAY OKO-JAJA, ESQ.
4. CHRISTOPHER AGBOMEIRHE SUNDAY OSHOMEGIE, ESQ.
5. SANUSI OLUGBENGA SAI’D, ESQ.
6. WAHAB KUNLE SHITTU, ESQ.
7. EMMANUEL IDEMUDIA OBOH, ESQ.
8. DIRI SAID MOHAMMED, ESQ.
9. OLADIPO AKANMU TOLANI, ESQ.
10. AYODEJI OYEWOLE OMOTOSO, ESQ
11. CHIJIOKE OGBONNA ERONDU, ESQ.
12. AJOKU KINGSLEY OBINNA, ESQ.
13. YAKUBU MAIKASUWA, ESQ.
14. HENRY ESHIJONAM OMU, ESQ.
15. DAGOGO ISRAEL IBOROMA, ESQ.
16. JOSEPH ADEMU AKUBO, ESQ.
17. GOZIE BERTRAND OBI, ESQ.
18. INAM AKPADIAGHA WILSON ESQ.
19. ABUBAKAR BATURE SULU-GAMBARI, ESQ.
20. ABIOYE ARAOYE OLOYEDE ASANIKE, ESQ.
21. SYLVANUS TAHIRU, ESQ.
22. BOLARINWA ELIJAH AIDI, ESQ.
23. TONYE TOMBERE JENEWARI KRUKRUBO, ESQ.
24. ADEREMI MOSHOOD BASHUA, ESQ.
25. KOLAPO OLUGBENGA KOLADE, ESQ.
26. SAMUEL PETER KARGBO, ESQ.
27. IFEANYICHUKWU SYLVESTER OBIAKOR, ESQ.
28. OLASOJI OLAIYA OLOWOLAFE, ESQ.
29. MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO, ESQ.
30. VICTOR ODAFE OGUDE, ESQ.
31. SULAYMAN OLAWALE IBRAHIM, ESQ.
32. MUMINI ISHOLA HANAFI, ESQ.
33. TANKO TANKO ASHANG, ESQ.
34. DAMIAN OHAKWE OKORO, ESQ.
35. ANDREW MWAJIM MALGWI, ESQ.
36. ETUKWU ONAH, ESQ.
37. ADEBORO LATEEF ADAMSON, ESQ.
38. BANKOLE JOEL AKOMOLAFE, ESQ.
39. KELECHI CHINEDUM OBI, ESQ.
40. ANDREW OSEMEDUA ODUM, ESQ.
41. OKORO OKECHUKWU EDWIN, ESQ.
42. GODSON CHUKWUDI UGOCHUKWU, ESQ.
43. STEVEN ONYECHI ONONYE, ESQ.
44. IKANI KANU AGABI, ESQ.
45. MUSTAPHA SHABA IBRAHIM, ESQ.
46. MUIZUDEEN YUNUS ABDULLAHI, ESQ.
47. MAGAJI MATO IBRAHIM, ESQ.
48. SUNUSI MUSA, ESQ.
49. OLADOYIN OLUSEYI AWOYALE, ESQ.
50. ROTIMI ISEOLUWA OYEDEPO, ESQ.
51. CHUKWUDUBEM BONAVENTURE ANYIGBO, ESQ.
52. LUKMAN OYEBANJI FAGBEMI, ESQ.
53. MICHAEL JONATHAN NUMA, ESQ.

ACADEMIC APPOINTEES (IN ORDER OF SENIORITY AT THE BAR)
1. PROF. KATHLEEN EBELECHUKWU OKAFOR
2. PROF. MUHAMMED TAOFEEQ ABDULRAZAQ
3. PROF. AMOKAYE OLUDAYO GABRIEL
4. PROF. ISMAIL ADENIYI OLATUNBOSUN
5. PROF. ABDULLAHI SHEHU ZURU
6. PROF. JOY NGOZI EZEILO
7. ASS/PROF. THEODORE BALA MAIYAKI
8. PROF. OLAIDE ABASS GBADAMOSI
9. ASS/PROF. CHIMEZIE KINGSLEY OKORIE

The meeting further approved a new Guidelines for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters pertaining to the rank to guide future exercises.

Dated at Abuja, Federal Capital Territory this 29th day of September, 2022

HAJO SARKI BELLO, ESQ
CHIEF REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA / SECRETARY LPPC

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BOSAN, CHIEF JUDGE MOURN, AS LUCIUS NWOSU GOES HOME FRIDAY

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho were among leaders of the Bar and Bench who paid glowing tributes to foremost environmental law expert, Late Lucius Ezeaka Nwosu at a valedictory session held in his honour in Abuja.

Tsoho described Nwosu as “one of the finest Senior Advocates of his generation,” adding that the valedictory session was “an opportunity to express with clarity and warmth, how the late SAN was genuinely respected at the Bar and in all of his dealings with the Court. Therefore we count it as an honour to celebrate his lifetime and practice.”

The chief judge noted that until his death, “the distinguished late Silk had applied his perseverance, doggedness and dexterity in offering excellent legal services to his numerous clients, which comprised more of the Niger-Delta Communities. He was a fighter for human rights, the legal warrior of the Niger-Delta Communities and he will be remembered for easing the liability that comes with engaging the services of a lawyer with his clients.”

Saying that Nwosu “defended the financially and politically powerless whenever their rights were trampled upon,” Justice Tsoho stated that the late litigator was “a fierce environmental campaigner and activist through litigation,” adding that “Those he litigated against dreaded and labelled him ‘Lucifer Nwosu’ but the beneficiaries actually adored him.”

On its part, BOSAN in a tribute delivered by former Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN stated that “A time will never come when we shall forget the prowess of Lucius Nwosu. You witnessed yourselves the exploits of this remarkable man. The commendations that we bestow on him are a tribute to our profession. He is therefore entitled to our gratitude. He was a well-educated man, reared and trained in strict self-discipline. Whoever reared him, reared him well.”

According to BOSAN, “To deal with the achievements of Lucius Nwosu as a whole is something that we cannot now attempt in the short time available to us,” adding that “In his devotion to our profession Lucius Nwosu neglected himself.”

The body of senior lawyers stated that “The best tribute we can pay to him is to endeavour to realize our talents as he realized his and use them for the benefit of mankind as he used his. Lucius Nwosu was that man to whom the Lord gave five talents and who when he rendered his account the Lord commended him saying: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ ”

BOSAN described him as a “great man” and a “man of high character,” saying that “Lucius Nwosu was a selfless man. He was a brilliant man. He did not know how to relent. He was a man of defiant spirit. The grave cannot hold such a man down. We are witnesses to the trials and temptations that he had to contend with. We are witnesses to the many difficulties he had to overcome. We are witnesses to all the dangers that he had to avoid. He worked harder than a slave but it was the Lord that he served. He had to overcome many difficulties. He had to avoid many dangers and strive on so that on this day when he gives account of his stewardship, he can say, as did St. Paul: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.’ ”

The body urged lawyers to “do our work with all the passion, energy and sincerity that we can summon” notwithstanding that the legal profession has “come under suspicion of aiding and facilitating the collapse of the nation.”

Turning to the judiciary, BOSAN said: “As for you judges and justices, we thank you for your sacrifices. The fault is not yours that the nation continues to languish in violence and uncertainty. It is in spite of all your sacrifices. Do not despair. It shall be well. We have hope.”

It concluded that “Lucius is not dead. Though he failed to achieve old age, he has achieved a fame which knows no age. He has now been released from sickness and grief and from all the other sorrows and anxieties that attend our lives.”

The foremost senior lawyer will be buried on Friday at Udo Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government of Imo State.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • May 27, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘BOSAN IS UNDERMINING NBA PRESIDENT,’ SAYS TAIDI

‘BOSAN IS UNDERMINING NBA PRESIDENT,’ SAYS TAIDI

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Gunu Taidi has blasted the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) for allegedly undermining the office of the NBA President.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Taidi, who is vying for the position of NBA President in the forthcoming elections, said that instances of alleged undermining efforts “have become intolerable and deserving of serious condemnation, even sanction.”

He stated that “The latest of these catalogue of breaches is the attempt to subvert the existing order of precedence during the Valedictory Court Session in honour of retiring Justice of the Supreme Court Ejembi Eko, J.S.C. where some senior members of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) caused the altering of the existing protocol which rightly recognizes the President of the NBA ahead of the Chairman of BOSAN.”

Taidi warned that “the NBA President is the president of all, irrespective of whether or not they belong to BOSAN, or whether or not they belong to the inner bar or outer bar,” adding that BOSAN should focus on major challenges that hobble the judiciary “instead of this quibbling over who should be recognized first at a public forum.”

Saying there are BOSAN members with serious disciplinary issues, the former NBA scribe stated that “rather than this tendency to use every opportunity to undermine the Bar leadership, it is advisable that BOSAN directs its energies at redressing some very gross acts committed by the rank of its membership, some of which are so heinous that they are included in the law reports. Undoubtedly, such acts are inimical to the progress of the noble profession and should be discouraged.”

The statement reads:

The recurring attempts by some senior members of the inner bar to undermine the office the NBA President have become intolerable and deserving of serious condemnation, even sanction. A series of egregious actions which seek to reduce the leadership of the bar has recently come to fore and it is clear that a group within the inner bar is determined to wage an unnecessary war of attrition on the NBA, which is the umbrella body of all lawyers in Nigeria.

The latest of these catalogue of breaches is the attempt to subvert the existing order of precedence during the Valedictory Court Session in honour of retiring Justice of the Supreme Court Ejembi Eko, J.S.C. where some senior members of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) caused the altering of the existing protocol which rightly recognizes the President of the NBA ahead of the Chairman of BOSAN.

For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA President is the president of all, irrespective of whether or not they belong to BOSAN, or whether or not they belong to the inner bar or outer bar.

I believe that the judicial system of this country has serious problems requiring immediate remedy, issues that go to the very heart of the practice of law in this country, issues that should rather engage the erudite minds of our senior advocates instead of this quibbling over who should be recognized first at a public forum.

I humbly suggest that BOSAN as a body focuses its efforts on mentorship in its respective jurisdictions and preparing young minds to take maximum advantage of emerging opportunities for legal practice. Indeed, rather than engage in a needless tussle vide order of precedence, BOSAN will do well to ensure that its members who have been indicted for all kinds of infractions receive the discipline they deserve.

In other words, rather than this tendency to use every opportunity to undermine the Bar leadership, it is advisable that BOSAN directs its energies at redressing some very gross acts committed by the rank of its membership, some of which are so heinous that they are included in the law reports. Undoubtedly, such acts are inimical to the progress of the noble profession and should be discouraged.

It bears repeating that attempts at undermining the status of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association are unwarranted from anyone, and even more invidious when they come from an associate body like BOSAN.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

BOSAN could not be reached for comments at press time.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Jan 28, 2022
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  • Comments Off on BOSAN HOLDS DINNER, TO REVIEW SAN RANK, LPA BILL REPORTS TOMORROW

BOSAN HOLDS DINNER, TO REVIEW SAN RANK, LPA BILL REPORTS TOMORROW

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) will tomorrow hold its 2021 Annual Dinner and meeting to review the report of its committee on award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Among the reports also scheduled to be presented to the influential body are the report on review of the harmonized Legal Practitioners Bill and Legal Profession Regulatory Bill as well as a report on the public hearing on amendment of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) held on 15th November, 2021. The reports will be presented by BOSAN’s longstanding Secretary, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo SAN and Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN.

Scheduled for 11 am at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, Victoria Island, the meeting will also receive another report from its Committee on the Reform of the Supreme Court alongside a paper presented by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Thompson Okpoko SAN.

According to a notice of meeting obtained by CITY LAWYER, the body will again receive an update on the implementation of the BOSAN Leadership Committee including arrangements for its Annual Lecture, Annual Dinner, presentation of the BOSAN Law Practice Journal, Induction Programme and Scholarship Awards.

Meanwhile, the association will tomorrow at the Grand African Ball Room of Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island hold its 2021 Annual Dinner & Scholarship Awards.

The Special Guest of Honour is Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN while the Chairman of the occasion is Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad. The Guest Speaker is former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Oct 25, 2021
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  • Comments Off on EXCLUSIVE: DROPPED SAN-DESIGNATE SPEAKS

EXCLUSIVE: DROPPED SAN-DESIGNATE SPEAKS

Mr. Chidi Nworka, the aspirant for the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who was sensationally replaced by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has told CITY LAWYER that he is “taking my time to digest it.”

It is recalled that the LPPC had admitted an error while announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, blaming the incident on a “mix-up.”

Said the committee: “In the press release issued by this office yesterday, 21st October 2021 announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nworka, Chidi Benjamin Esq. listed as No. 43 was mistakenly included in the list of Advocate Appointees. The actual successful applicant that ought to be in the said list is OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA, ESQ.”

Continuing, the LPPC said: “The mix-up is highly regretted and we apologise to all persons affected by it. A corrected version of the list in the order (sic) seniority at the outer Bar is hereby is hereby listed below for record purposes.”

The incident had generated heated reactions in legal circles, with many lawyers expressing shock at the mix-up.

When contacted, the embattled SAN aspirant told CITY LAWYER that he would “prefer” not to speak on the controversial saga. He said that he is “still watching events unfold,” adding that the incident is “still fresh and emotions are still high.”

According to him, “I am taking my time to digest it and let it simmer down. You will recall that as lawyers, when some judgements come, we say, ‘Let’s take our time and digest it.’ That is my attitude presently. I would prefer not to speak about the incident for now. Please bear with me.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that Nworka also went all the way with his last year’s application but was unable to scale the last screening hurdle.

Although the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) had mounted a strident campaign to compel the LPPC to suspend the awards and revamp its guidelines, the committee brushed aside the call to elevate 72 senior lawyers to the coveted rank.

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. The assertions and opinions expressed in articles, announcements and/or news on this website reflect the views of the author(s) and do not (necessarily) reflect the views of the webmaster, the internet provider or CITY LAWYER. CITY LAWYER can in no way whatsoever be held responsible for the content of such views nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views. CITY LAWYER neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned on this website, nor does it warrant any assertions made by the manufacturers or promoters of such products or services. Users of this website are always recommended to obtain independent information and/or to perform independent research before using the information acquired via this website.

 

  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Oct 21, 2021
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  • Comments Off on HISTORY, AS LPPC SHUNS BOSAN, APPOINTS 72 SANS

HISTORY, AS LPPC SHUNS BOSAN, APPOINTS 72 SANS

• PROMISES TO REFORM SAN RANK

• NEW GUIDELINES FOR 2023 AWARDS

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has brushed aside a strident call by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to appoint 72 senior lawyers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

History was made today following release of list of newly appointed senior advocates of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

The committee bestowed the coveted rank on the first clergy man as well as a serving senior police officer. These are Rev. (Dr.) Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora (Anambra State) and Simon Asember Lough (Benue State), a Deputy Commissioner of Police serving at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the LPPC which has the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tank Muhammad as its chairman, has set up a sub-committee to review the guidelines for the award of the rank. This may not be unconnected with the damning indictment of the award process by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) as reported exclusively by CITY LAWYER.

According to the press release issued today by Hajo Sarki Bello Esquire, Acting Chief Registrar of Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, 72 lawyers were elevated to the new rank, comprising 62 advocates and 10 academics. The appointees would be sworn-in on December 8, 2021 at the Supreme Court premises, Abuja.

The application for the 2022 exercise would open in January, said the committee, adding: “In the meantime, the Legal Practitioners Privileges committee wishes to notify the general public that it has set up a sub-committee to review the 2018 Guidelines for the award of the rank effective from 2023 award year.”

It is recalled that BOSAN had expressed worry over the huge number of applicants recently shortlisted for award of the rank, warning that unless a holistic review of the award process is undertaken by the LPPC, the rank risked losing its prestige and standing among stakeholders.

Saying that it was gladdened by the receipt of a letter from the LPPC to its earlier complaint, BOSAN however expressed disappointment at the recent turn of events, saying: “However, following the recent announcement of the shortlisting of 130 candidates shortlisted in the process for conferment with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, we are of the considered opinion that the concerns raised in our earlier referenced letter have not been addressed.”

Pledging its support of the reform process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

Below is the list of the SANs-designate.

ACADEMIC appointees:

1. Prof Bankole Akintoye Sodipo

2. Prof Christian Chizundu Wigwe

3. Prof Ajagbe Toriola Oyewo

4. Prof Rasheed Jimoh Ijaodola

5. Prof Oluyinka Osayame Omorogbe

6. Dr Josephine Aladi Achor Agbonika

7. Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi

8. Prof Edoba Bright Omoregie

9. Prof Abiola Olaitan Sanni

10. Dr Anthony Ojukwu Okechukwu

ADVOCATES appointees

11. George Audu Anuga

12. Simon Asember Lough

13. Eko Ejembi Eko

14. Ayo Abraham Olorunfemi

15. Reuben Okpanachi Atabo

16. John Ogwu Adele

17. Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa

18. Eyitayo Ayokunle Fatogun

19. Jacob Johnson Usman

20. Tajudeen Olaseni Oladoja

21. Salman Jawando Ayinla

22. Adeola Rasaq Omotunde

23. Mathew Gwar Bukka

24. Mohammed Ndayako

25. Hassan Usman El-Yakub

26. Ishaq Magaji Hussaini

27. Samuel Atung

28. Mohammed Abdulhamid

29. Kabiru Aliyu

30. Mohammed Abdulaziz Sani

31. Uche Sunday Awa

32. Uchenna Chinyere Ihediwa

33. Philip Ndubuisi Umeh

34. Peter Aguigom Afuba

35. Felix Anayo Onuzulike

36. Benjamin Chukwudi Uzuegbu

37. Benjamin Nworah Osaka

38. Ikenna Okoli

39. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora

40. Emeka Jude-Philip Obegolu

41. Clement Onwuenwunor

42. Chijioke Ogugua Precious Emeka

43. Anthony Obinna Mogboh

44. Victor Ugwuezumba Opara

45. Kamasuode Wodu

46. Charles Udoka Ihua-Maduenyi

47. Sammie Abiye Somiari

48. Ogaga Ovrawah

49. Charles Dumbiri Mekwunye

50. Ikeazor Ajovi Akaraiwe

51. Marcellous Eguvwe Oru

52. Mark Okebuinor Mordi

53. Ehiogie West-Idahosa

54. Fredricks Ebos Itula

55. Ibrahim Idris Agbomere

56. Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi

57. Bolarinwa Olotu

58. Adekola Olawale Fapohunda

59. Adekunle Akanbi Ojo

60. Olaotan Olusegun Ajose-Adeogun

61. Rotimi Sheriff Seriki

62. Olukayode Oluwole Adeluola

63. Adeyinka Moyosore Kotoye

64. Oluwasina Olanrewaju Ogungbade 65. Afolabi Fatai Kuti

66. Francis Omotosho

67. Ayodeji Adedipe

68. Adeleke Olaniyi Agbola

69. James Akingbola Akinola

70. Muritala Oladimeji Abdul-Rasheed

71. Dauda Adekola Mustapha

72. Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Oct 19, 2021
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  • 0
  • Comments Off on 130 ‘SANS’: AGAIN, BOSAN WRITES CJN, CARPETS LPPC

130 ‘SANS’: AGAIN, BOSAN WRITES CJN, CARPETS LPPC

• WANTS AWARD OF SAN RANK PAUSED
• WORRIES ABOUT DILUTION, LOBBYING
• SEEKS MORE STRINGENT RULES FOR ACADEMICS

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has again expressed worry over the huge number of applicants recently shortlisted for possible award of the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In a later obtained by CITY LAWYER and addressed to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) and to the attention of its Chairman/Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, BOSAN warned that unless a holistic review of the award is undertaken by the LPPC, the rank risks losing its prestige and standing among stakeholders.

Dated September 21, 2021 and signed by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) and BOSAN’S longstanding Secretary, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), the letter is titled “RE: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE’S LISTING OF 130 LAWYERS AS SHORTLISTED IN THE PROCESS FOR CONFERMENT WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA FOR THE YEAR 2021: REITERATION OF THE BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA’S (BOSAN) STRONG NOTE OF CONCERN ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE RANK.” It was copied to all LPPC members and the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

BOSAN referred to the response to its earlier letter signed by LPPC Chairman, Justice Muhammad and noted that “Upon receipt of the letter from the Committee, we were hopeful that necessary changes as conveyed in our letter would be implemented to preserve the dignity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

The body expressed disappointment at the recent turn of events, saying: “However, following the recent announcement of the shortlisting of 130 candidates shortlisted in the process for conferment with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, we are of the considered opinion that the concerns raised in our earlier referenced letter have not been addressed.”

Lampooning the shortlist, BOSAN said that “It is not willy-nilly that all candidates that meet the set criteria should be appointed in any given year, as such an approach cannot but result in the degradation of the rank. It is those that prove to be outstanding within the shortlist that should be conferred with the rank. This is the time honoured rule applied in relation to admissions to all reputable institutions in situations where competition is high and spaces are limited and where it would be inappropriate to accommodate all those persons who appear to have met the criteria.”

Turning to the conferment of the rank to academics, BOSAN warned that “There is even a greater need for more stringent approach in cases where appointments are to be made on the basis of academic accomplishments.”

Noting that “It has now become necessary that we reiterate, respectfully, the concerns raised in the body’s earlier letter, BOSAN said: “The members of the Inner bar are concerned that the current procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would result in a watered-down perception of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We are also of the considered opinion that it is imperative that the Committee pauses and reassesses the procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as we fear that that (sic) the process could be reduced to a ‘mere compilation and submission of the listed documentation’ in the next few years, with no attention to excellence or distinction in the practice of law.”

Insisting that the award of the rank should be suspended to allow for a holistic appraisal, BOSAN said: “In light of this, we write to reiterate our earlier recommendation that the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria be put on hold to enable the Committee to conduct and publish a credible and comprehensive review of the process for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

Pledging its support of the review process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

Noting the urgency of its Save-Our-Soul letter, BOSAN said: “We would like to point out that a comprehensive review of the screening process is an urgent and necessary step to retain the dignity, respect, and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general. The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is still committed to providing its expertise and support at every stage of the review process and we are anticipating a positive feedback and implementation of the recommendations in this letter.”

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted BOSAN’s blistering condemnation of the 2020 award process which threw up 72 senior advocates, saying: “BOSAN struggles to understand the rationale for the over 100% increase from the previous year and a 600% increase from a 45-year average. We are dismayed at this out-stepping from the norms and standards established over nearly five decades of our legal history.”

Delivering its final verdict on the exercise, BOSAN said: “We are of the strong and painful view, and it would appear to many, that the criteria have been whittled down and the bar/benchmark lowered to the extent of defeating the description of excellence as a sine qua non for attaining the prestigious rank.”

This is notwithstanding that Justice Muhammad had in LPPC’s response assured BOSAN that the Committee had considered BOSAN’s concerns “in detail,” adding that a review would be undertaken to strengthen the conferment process.

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.