AGF Urges SANs to Enforce Discipline, Warns Junior Lawyers Against Disrespect
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has charged Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to uphold discipline and ethical standards in the legal profession, warning that the prestigious rank can be withdrawn if abused.
Fagbemi, who is also the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), made the call in Lagos at a dinner organised by BOSAN to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the SAN rank.
He stressed that SANs, as custodians of the rank, must conduct themselves in ways that preserve its dignity, nobility and esteem, noting that the title should not be misconstrued as a licence for misconduct or indiscipline.
“There are those among us who appear to regard the Rank as a licence for misconduct and indiscipline, under the mistaken belief that once conferred, it is inalienable. That of course is not correct,” the AGF said.
According to him, the rank of SAN remains a privilege that can be withdrawn if the holder fails to meet the expected standards, as clearly stated in the existing regulations of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).
Fagbemi added that discipline among SANs should not be left solely to the LPPC or the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), urging BOSAN to take responsibility for internal self-regulation.
“Enforcing discipline must start in-house, from our Body. It is better to lead by example rather than by precept,” he said.
The AGF also cautioned junior lawyers against acts of disrespect towards members of the inner bar, insisting that SANs deserve utmost respect due to the exalted nature of the rank.
At the event, 134 participants of the BOSAN Induction Programme were formally welcomed into the Body, comprising 87 SANs from the 2024 cohort and 57 from the 2025 set. In addition, five students from various faculties of law in Nigerian universities were awarded scholarships.
Fagbemi, while thanking the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who was the special guest of honour and delivered the dinner lecture, commended the collaboration between BOSAN and the LPPC. He said the partnership under the CJN’s leadership had helped to elevate the SAN rank and strengthen the legal profession in Nigeria.
The event formed part of activities marking five decades of the conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank.
