The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has renewed its call for consideration of “senior members of the Bar, including those in the academia” to be appointed as Justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
The group which said such appointments will broaden and enhance the work of the two appellate courts also commended former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN) for not going to court over the controversial outcome of the just concluded election of the association.
In a release issued on Tuesday after it held a virtual meeting on September 5 attended by 129 members, BOSAN said it is determined to ensure that NBA elections were flawless going forward, following which they constituted a five-man committee to audit the last three NBA elections from 2016.
The statement was jointly signed by the first female Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Chief ‘Folake Solanke, and BOSAN Secretary, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN).
“We will continue to engage in wide consultations with all relevant stakeholders, in particular, the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council, for the consideration of the appointment of senior members of the Bar, including those in the academia, who meet the constitutionally prescribed criteria, as Justices of the Appellate Courts, namely the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, in order to broaden and enhance the work of both Courts,” BOSAN said.
The group further commended a presidential candidate in the last general elections of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN), for not going to court to challenge the outcome.
It told Adesina that cancelling the election would not be in the best interest of the association.
BOSAN “commended Deacon Adesina for his decision to accept the verdict of the Board of Trustees of the NBA on the 2020 NBA elections and not to contest the result of the said election in court.”
Nevertheless, it said SANs determined to ensure that NBA elections were flawless going forward, following which they constituted a five-man committee to audit the last three NBA elections from 2016.
The committee to be chaired by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), has Mr Osaro Eghobamien (SAN), Chief Yomi Aliu (SAN), Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (SAN) and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) as members.
The Committee will work “in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association”, BOSAN said.
