The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has asked the Nigerian Bar Association to steer clear of its planned conferment of the rank of “Blue Silks” on some senior lawyers.

In a “Cease and Desist” letter made available to CITY LAWYER, the association hinged its demand on a pending lawsuit on the new rank.

Dated 11th December, 2025, and signed by one Jesse Williams Amuga on behalf of the association, the letter is titled “CEASE-AND-DESIST NOTICE REGARDING PUBLICATIONS ON THE BLUE SILKS RANK OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING AND ADVOCACY PRACTITIONERS (ALDRAP) WHICH IS SUBJECT-MATTER OF A LAWSUIT AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA SUIT NUMBER FHC/ABJ/CS/2547/2025 AND PUBLICATION.”

The letter, which was addressed to the NBA President, argued that by virtue of Rule 33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, “it constitutes an act of unprofessional conduct when patties (sic) to any lawsuit continue writing commentaries especially prejudiced comments about a matter that is the subject matter of a lawsuit.”

Referencing NBA’s communique arising from its National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting held in Benin City, ALDRAP alleged that “All these publications were authored by agents, staff of the President of the NBA and after the above named lawsuit had already been filed and served, a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of service by the office of the President of the NBA dated 9th December 2025 is attached.”

The association noted that it “has already written to provide explanation that the Blue Silks rank is not regulated by the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962,” adding that “this is published online at: https://loyalnigerianlawyer.com/in-full-aldrap-writes-chief-justice.”

It then warned that “This letter serves as a CEASE-AND-DESIST NOTICE.”

The letter was copied to several stakeholders including the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Chairman, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC); Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria; Chairman, Body of Benchers, and Secretary, Body of Benchers.

Others are the Chairman, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC); Administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI); Secretary, National Judicial Council; Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, and Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission.

CITY LAWYER recalls that controversy has trailed ALDRAP’s resolve to award the “Blue Silks” to some senior lawyers, even as the association has shortlisted no less than 26 recipients for the new rank.

(C) CITY LAWYER Magazine. All rights reserved. To join our Channel, click here. Click here to join our WhatsApp chatroom. Contact us at citylawyermag@gmail.com or 081-3838-0083.