Show of shame as security men fight dirty at swearing-in of 29 new SANs

In what appeared an apparent show of shame, security operatives at Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Monday occupied themselves in a free-for-all fight over issues of entry into the hall where 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria were sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The shameful event followed the refusal of some Supreme Court security men to allow persons in the entourage of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello entry into the apex court mail door where the event was holding..

During the altercation a policeman in plain cloths, who was part of Governor Bello’s entourage was manhandled with the button on his shirt torn off by the police and officers from a private security firm- Halogen, who are the apex court security operatives.

The fight which broke out after Governor Bello had already entered inside also led to the destruction of a camera owned by a photo journalist at the place to cover the event.

Also affected with the temporary denial of entrance to the hall of the event that started by 10am were some Judges and SANs that were present at the apex court by 9:30am. One of the affected judges was Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court.

While 30 senior lawyers were at first satisfied to be elevated to the position of SAN, 29 were however sworn in on Friday by the CJN.

This was as the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LLPC) had last Friday suspended the swearing-in of the only female on the list, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun.

Mrs. Bashorun’s confirmation according to LLPC was deferred pending the conclusion of investigation into issues surrounding her eligibility for the rank.

In a statement by LLPC secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Hadiza Mustapha, a panel set up by the CJN, who also is LLPC chairman will investigate Bashorun.

156 senior lawyers had applied to be conferred SAN. 72 of the applicants initially got shortlisted but the LLPC, sequel to its powers under section 5 of Legal Practitioners’ Act, Laws of the Federation 2004 as amended, reduced the list to 30. Four of the new SANs emerged from the academia.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife were some of dignitaries at the event. His brother, Akinlolu, a former Attorney General of Ogun State, is one of the new SANs.

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Also among the SANs are the Attorney General of Kwara State, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, former national legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDp) and gubernatorial candidate of Alliance for Democracy in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, Chibuike Adindu Nwanne Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, Bert Chukwuneta Igwilo, Sylvester Emenike Elema, Ikenna Victor Egbuna, Wilcox Achace Abereton, Michael Abayomi Bidade Alliyu, Francis Forum Egele, Prof. Enefiok Effiong Essien.

There was also Sadiq Sylvester Shikyl, Adebambo Anthony Adewopo, Adedeji Olusegun Adekunle, Nasser Abdu Dangiri, Emeka Peter Okpoko, Sani Hussani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Atadoga Ibrahim.

The rest are John Olusegun Odubela, Gboyega Sanmi Oyewole, Joshua Yusuf Musa, Ibrahim Sani Mohammed, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, Oyetola Oshobi, Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju and Chiesonu Igbojamike Okpoko.

 

 

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