Lawyers Urge Halt to 2026 SAN Conferment Process

Lawyers have formally requested Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Keker Ekun, to halt the 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment process, citing a potential legal challenge. The Legal Practitioners Privilege Committee (LPPC) is set to release a shortlist of 89 applicants on June 23, 2026, including 77 advocates and 12 academics.

Aldrap, represented by its Executive Director Dr. Tony Clinton Jaja, has sent a pre-action notice to the Chief Justice, urging the discontinuation of the process pending the outcome of a lawsuit at the Court of Appeal.

The notice, dated June 24, 2026, argues that proceeding with the conferment could violate legal principles as the matter is sub judice. The notice also references a judgment by Justice James Omotosho on May 13, 2026, and warns that continuing the process could lead to disobedience of court orders.

Aldrap contends that the LPPC cannot interfere with the conferment of the blue silk rank, which is not mentioned in the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962.