The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has delivered a stern caution to the recently sworn-in Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), urging them to uphold the highest ethical standards as outlined in the 2022 Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Fagbemi warned that failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in the permanent withdrawal of their prestigious rank. He conveyed this message during the Supreme Court legal year ceremony, emphasizing a crucial distinction from the 2018 Guidelines. Unlike the previous guidelines, the 2022 version does not provide for the restoration of rank after a three-year withdrawal period, making the withdrawal irreversible for misconduct.
Speaking directly to the new lawyers in the presence of numerous SANs, lawyers, and judges, both serving and retired, Fagbemi highlighted the gravity of the situation. He underscored that the 2022 Guidelines offer no provision for reinstating the rank after withdrawal, unlike the 2018 Guidelines.
The AGF stressed that once the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee withdraws the rank from any holder found in breach of the guidelines, the withdrawal is final, and the rank cannot be reinstated.
Fagbemi emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest professional standards and avoiding violations of the Rules of Professional Misconduct for Legal Practitioners. He encouraged the new SANs to seek mentorship from experienced members of the Inner Bar and to act as mentors to younger colleagues.
Addressing the new silks, Fagbemi expressed a warm welcome to the Inner Bar, highlighting the privileged position of the conferred rank. He congratulated the new silks on their remarkable achievement, emphasizing the need for deserving individuals in this prestigious position.
Seizing the opportunity, the AGF called for the expeditious promotion of judges to the Appeal Court and Supreme Court benches. He stressed the potential disruptions in the judiciary and the rule of law due to vacancies in judicial offices and urged the National Judicial Council to fast-track the appointment process to achieve a full complement of the Supreme Court and address consequential vacancies in the Court of Appeal.
In a related call to action, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, urged members of the bar with allegations of judicial corruption to present evidence to law enforcement agencies. He emphasized the need for courage in addressing such issues and called for disciplinary action against any counsel implicated in bribery attempts at tribunals