Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has distanced himself from the purported conferment of the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), popularly known as Blue Silk, on him by the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, said he neither authorised nor approved the acceptance of the designation, describing the development as an administrative error.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji.
According to the statement, some members of his staff represented him at the NLS event following an invitation received by his office. However, he maintained that their participation did not amount to his personal approval of the honour.
The statement said the subsequent communication indicating acceptance of the designation was made without his knowledge or authorisation.
Fani-Kayode also questioned the legal and professional basis of the SCN designation, particularly its compliance with existing laws regulating legal practice in Nigeria and relevant court decisions.
He emphasised his commitment to the rule of law and professional ethics, noting that he had practised as a legal practitioner for more than 41 years.
The former minister said he would not knowingly participate in any action capable of violating the law, undermining the integrity of the legal profession or bringing the profession into disrepute.
He further highlighted his family’s longstanding legal background, noting that three generations of his family had practised law.
His clarification comes a day after the NLS announced the conferment of the SCN designation on him, Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and three other legal practitioners at its 2026 Annual General Conference in Abuja.
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Other recipients included Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi and Alabi Olalekan Adigun.
The conferment has sparked controversy over the legal recognition of the Blue Silk title, with the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) insisting that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) remains the only legally recognised professional rank for lawyers in the country.
In February, the LPPC cautioned legal practitioners against adopting or presenting themselves with the Blue Silk designation, warning that the title lacked statutory backing and could attract disciplinary sanctions.
The controversy was further fuelled by a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja dismissing a suit seeking judicial recognition of the designation.
Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling, held that the case lacked merit, maintaining that the statutory authority to confer the SAN rank rests with the LPPC.
However, the NLS and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria have defended the SCN designation, arguing that they possess the autonomy to confer the title on members in accordance with their internal rules and regulations.
Fani-Kayode reiterated that neither his representation at the conference nor any correspondence issued on his behalf should be regarded as his personal endorsement or acceptance of the designation.