Lawyers Split Over CJN's 'Barrister' Directive

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, issued a directive on July 13, 2026, instructing legal practitioners and court officials to cease using "Barrister" as a prefix in official dealings with the Supreme Court. This directive, communicated through a memorandum signed by Chief Registrar Kabir Akanbi, aims to uphold professional standards.

The Nigerian Law Society (NLS), led by Executive Director Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, has contested the directive, arguing that the Legal Practitioners Act recognizes lawyers as "Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court" and does not grant the Chief Justice or other bodies the authority to prohibit this designation. The NLS also criticized the suggested alternative "Esquire," which is not mentioned in the Act.

Conversely, some lawyers support the Chief Justice's stance, citing a Supreme Court ruling in NBA v Ofomata that deemed the prefix "Barrister" unprofessional. The debate has evolved into a broader discussion regarding the CJN's administrative authority and the distinction between professional titles and statutory designations.