The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LLPC, has suspended the swearing-in of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Bashorun was the only female among 30 senior lawyers that were shortlisted for the prestigious rank.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen will on Monday perform the swearing-in ceremony.
LPPC, in a statement by the Secretary to the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Hadiza Mustapha, Bashorun, said it deferred Mrs. Bashorun confirmation to await the conclusion of investigation into issues surrounding her eligibility for the rank.
It explained that she will be investigated by a panel set up by the CJN who doubles as the Chairman of the LPPC.
It said section 12 (2) provided that “Any complaint/petition presented to the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria /Chairman of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee must be in writing and filed within eighteen days after publication of the list of candidates short listed for the conferment of the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in identified National Dailies, Media or any other form the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee may prescribe from time to time”
LPPC noted that it was after it had made the announcement that more facts emerged concerning eligibility of one of the otherwise successful applicants.
“Consequent upon that, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee in an emergency meeting held today the 15TH day of September, 2017 has decided to defer the Conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun,Esq. pending further investigation against her by a special constituted committee set -up by My Lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria”, the statement read.
The full list of the incoming SANs include Chibuike Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Egwuonwu, Bert Igwilo, Sylvester Enema, Ikenna Egbuna and Wilcox Aberton.
Others are Michael Alliyu, Akinlolu Osinbajo and Francis Egele, Olusola Oke, Nasser Dangiri, Emeka Okpoko, Sani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Ibrahim, John Odubela, Gboyega Oyewole and Joshua Musa.
Ibrahim Mohammed, Festus Keyamo, Ekemejero Ohwovorile,Oyetola Oshobi, Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Chiesonu Okpoko and Kamaldeen Ajibade are also on the list.
The successful candidates under the academic category are Professors Enefiok Essien, Sadiq Shikyl, Adebambo Adewepo, and Adedeji Adekunle.
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