The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit that aimed to introduce the rank of “Blue Silk” for legal practitioners in Nigeria as an alternative to the existing rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ruling that the suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/421/2026, was without merit.
Court Declares Blue Silk Rank Void
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho emphasized that the applicants’ claim to freedom of assembly and association was not applicable in this context. “The legal profession is not like joining a political party, where one can move from party to party. There is only one legal profession in Nigeria, duly recognised by statute. A person cannot decide to form another legal profession, as doing so would be contrary to the law and therefore void,” he stated.
The judge further declared that any actions taken by the applicants to confer the rank of Blue Silk on any legal practitioner are completely void and unrecognized by law. He noted that the applicants’ efforts contravened the established laws and regulations governing the legal profession in Nigeria.
Fundamental Rights Argument Rejected
Justice Omotosho rejected the argument that the applicants’ fundamental rights were being violated. “The applicants cannot hide under fundamental rights to breach statutory provisions. This court will not allow it. The applicants have failed to establish any breach of their fundamental rights to freedom of association and fair hearing. The applicants bear the burden of establishing the breach of their fundamental rights, but have utterly failed to do so. Their claims are therefore ungrantable and the suit is hereby dismissed,” he said.
The judge also indicated that the court would issue a consequential order to enforce the judgment, citing a previous Supreme Court decision as precedent.
Only LPPC Can Confer SAN Rank
Justice Omotosho consequently declared that the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) is the only body legally empowered to confer the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on deserving legal practitioners. He granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the applicants from conferring the rank of Blue Silk or any other title not recognized under the Legal Practitioners Act on any legal practitioner.
Parties Involved in the Suit
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners and Dr. Tonye Jaja. They named the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, General Secretary of the NBA, as the first and second respondents, respectively. Additionally, Mr. Kabir Akanbi, Secretary of the LPPC; the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee; and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) were joined as the third to fifth respondents.
