The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has conferred the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) award on renowned human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana and 24 other lawyers.
Falana was expected to have made the list some years before now, for his resourcefulness and advocacy on enforcement of fundamental human rights.
The decision to confer the prestigious award on the lawyers was taken during LPPC’s meeting presided over by the outgoing chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Dahiru Musdapher, in Abuja.
A statement signed by the chief registrar/secretary of LPPC, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, added that the newly-appointed SANs would be sworn in on a date to be announced later.
Other successful lawyers on the list are Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (academics), Prof. Dakas Clement James Dakas (academics), Joy Okungbowa Adesina (Mrs), Chief (Mrs) Connie-Jean Aremu, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, Garuba Usman Tetengi, Henry Oghogho Ogbodu, Selekeowei Larry, Abenny O. Mohammed, Charles Nwanne Obishai, Luke Chukwudi Illogu, Francis Chuka Agbu, Paul C. Ananaba and Akinlaja Dayo Moses.
Others are Ahmed Raji, Adekunle Theophilus Oyesanya, Rotimi Oluseye Samuel Opasanya, Aduroja Claudius Olumuyiwa, Aliyu Umar, Illo Katune Sanusi, Rotimi Jacobs and Ndukwe A. Nnnawuchi.
The LPPC had on July 2, 2012, shortlisted 71 lawyers to attend this year’s interview to select those who would be awarded the rank of SAN.
The committee had also called on members of the public to comment on the integrity and competence of any of the candidates.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi has hailed the emergence of the state’s attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, and Mr. Falana as SANs.
Falana, a former president of the West African Bar Association (WABA), and Akinlaja hail from Ekiti State.
In a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said the induction of Akinlaja and Falana into the Inner Bar bears eloquent testimony to the fact that Ekiti is synonymous with excellence.
The governor noted that the recognition of two Ekiti indigenes who have risen to the pinnacle of their chosen career as SANs is worth celebrating as it has secured a pride of place for the state in the annals of the legal profession.
