The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee LPPC, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwola, at the end of its 164th plenary session held on 1st August 2024 has announced the elevation of 87 legal practitioners in Nigeria to the enviable and exalted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Among those elevated include a famous Awka-based human rights lawyer, former chairman of Dunukofia L.G.A in 1999, and the current State Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Anambra State Chapter, Hon. Chief Clems Ezika.
Other lawyers practicing in Awka who also made the list include, the Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Legal Matters, Mr Tochukwu Nweke, and a senior lecturer in the faculty of Law in Nnamdi Azikiwe University ,Awka, Dr. Chienye Okafor.
In a press release signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Sarki Bello, said the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates or academics.
The release further states that the swearing in ceremony of the 87 distinguished legal practitioners into the inner bar is scheduled to take place on Monday the 30th of September 2024 at the Main Hall of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Reacting to the announcement, a legal practitioner, Barrister Ejiofo Umegbogu expressed happiness over the elevation of the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria especially those practicing in Awka, Anambra State.
Mr Umegbogu who is the Director of a civil society organization known as the Centre for Legal Assistant and Social Support CLASS, said that the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria will raise the Bar of legal practice in the capital city of Anambra State.
He opined that the recent elevation of three Awka-based legal practioners show that the advocacy prowess, erudition and resourcefulness of lawyers in Awka is gaining more national and international recognition.
According to the activist lawyer, Ejiofo Umegbogu, “It is a thing of joy that Lawyers in Awka, Anambra States are gaining more recognition and reaching enviable heights. These elevated senior colleagues have done us proud. Legal practice in Awka has advanced tremendously and the standard is quite high. Gone are the days when lawyers migrate to Lagos and Abuja to scramble for briefs. Now, Anambra lawyers who are practicing in those big cities are coming back to establish standard law firms in the area. Awka, the capital city of Anambra state has now been brought to the limelight and has been placed as the front burner of legal practice”.