The 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment exercise has come under threat as an association of lawyers has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to halt the process or face legal action.
The development follows the release of a shortlist of 89 applicants by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) on June 23, 2026.
The list, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, comprises 77 advocate applicants and 12 academic applicants who are expected to proceed to the final interview stage.
The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has, however, issued a pre-action notice to the LPPC, demanding that the process be suspended pending the determination of an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
The association had earlier instituted legal proceedings against the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the LPPC over its introduction of the “Blue Silks” rank as an alternative professional distinction for non-litigation lawyers.
The dispute arose after a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, granted a perpetual injunction restraining ALDRAP from conferring the Blue Silks rank. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the association filed an appeal.
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In a pre-action notice dated June 24, 2026, and signed by its Administrative Secretary, Jesse Amuga, ALDRAP argued that the SAN conferment process should not continue while the matter remains before the appellate court.
The association stated that proceeding with the exercise could amount to disregarding ongoing judicial proceedings, insisting that all activities relating to the conferment of legal ranks should be suspended until the appeal is determined.
According to ALDRAP, its position is based on constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of association, which it argues permit the creation of additional professional ranks for members who are not involved in courtroom litigation.
The association also cited an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in January 2026, which it said supports its argument that the LPPC lacks authority over the Blue Silks rank because it is not provided for under the Legal Practitioners Act.
ALDRAP maintained that the Court of Appeal has yet to pronounce on the matter and urged the LPPC to await the outcome of the appeal before proceeding with the SAN conferment exercise.
The association warned that if the process is not discontinued, it would instruct its lawyers to institute fresh legal proceedings seeking orders compelling the withdrawal of the list of shortlisted SAN candidates and restraining further actions connected to the 2026 conferment exercise.
The LPPC has not publicly responded to the pre-action notice. Meanwhile, the shortlisted candidates are expected to proceed with the final stages of the SAN conferment process unless otherwise directed by the courts.