One of the recently elevated Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN has reminisced with pride the activities that marked his first day in court as a Senior Advocates.
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MY FIRST DAY IN COURT AS SAN
I was sworn in by the Hon Chief Justice of Nigeria, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN on September 23, 2019.
I appeared in court for the first time as SAN on October 2, 2019. I got to the federal high court in Ikoyi at about 8:30am and was conducted on an inspection of the public toilets in the court which our law firm had renovated as its corporate social responsibility. Upon due inspection, I asked the contractors to extend the renovation to the main toilet of the security men when I observed that it had collapsed and become dysfunctional. I then proceeded to the office the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court to give an update of the renovation works and to request for a day to officially commission it.
I then went to my court, being that of Hon Jus Saliu Saidu. There were other SANs in court, Chief Niyi Adegbonmire, SAN, Mr Ken Ahia, SAN and Mr A. Oyebanji, SAN. When the court sat, My Lord congratulated the new Silks and prayed for us and thereafter proceeded to take our cases one after the other. My Lord asked after “my Learned Best Half”, by this referring to my wife, Mrs. Adegboruwa, with whom I had appeared before My Lord severally, in other cases. I then proceeded to Ikeja, for a criminal matter.
Before the Hon Jus Cyril Nwaka, the witness for the prosecution was not in court. My Lord then had to adjourn, but not before congratulating me and praying profusely for my well being and prosperity. In announcing my appearance before the Court, I’d attempted to maintain some modesty by just mentioning my name and the junior counsel appearing with me. My Lord quickly corrected me, saying that the Rank of SAN is what I should be proud of anywhere, given what I’d gone through to get there. It is a leadership position that should not be toyed with or hidden at all. My Lord then asked me to announce my appearance properly, to emphasize that I’m a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
I then proceeded to the court of Hon Jus A.O. Taiwo, where I was partnering with Lagos State Ministry of Justice to defend a robbery suspect pro bono. In that court, the prosecution witnesses were not produced and the judge reprimanded the prosecution after I told her that the defendant has been in prison custody since 2013 and denied bail. The court adjourned the case for the last time.
I then proceeded to two other courts to confirm dates for two other criminal cases, before departing for the office. Very eventful day.