Femi Falana, Others, for SAN Post

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has invited 71 applicants to an interview for Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Prominent names on the list include human rights activists Femi Falana and Fred Agbaje. Also included are the Ogun State Education Commissioner, Olusegun Odubela, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Legal Adviser Olusola Oke.

LPPC is the body charged with the responsibility of selecting lawyers that are eligible for SAN. And, the body is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Dahiru Musdapher.

Besides other advantages, the rank of SAN gives a lawyer the privilege to sit in the first row in courts and to wear a silk gown. The lawyer’s case will also be called first in courts, except when there is a judgment or ruling.

In a statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, who doubles as the secretary of the LPPC, he said: “The General Public is hereby notified that the under listed applicants have been found worthy to attend the interview preparatory to the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria… The interview date shall be communicated to applicants. The general public is at liberty to comment on the integrity and competence of any of the candidates… Such comments, if any, shall reach the undersigned on or before 11th July, 2012”.