The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has reiterated its resolved to continue to engage in wide consultations with all relevant stakeholders, for the consideration of the appointment of senior members of the Bar, including those in the academia, as Justices of the Appellate Courts.
The above is contained in a communique issued by the body after its meeting held on Saturday, 5th September 2020.
Read the full communique for other resolutions by the body
COMMUNIQUE OF VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA HELD ON SATURDAY,5 OE SEPTEMBER, 2020
The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) at its meeting of 5″ September, 2020, which was conducted virtually, with about 129 members participating and presided over by Chief Folake Solanke, CON, SAN the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, resolved as follows:
- Directed its Committee on the review of the proposed Legal Profession Regulatory Bill (initiated during the regime of A.B Mahmoud, SAN), to liaise with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Benchers, to harmonize all views and suggestions on the subject, in order to present a unified draft to the National Assembly, through the Nigerian Bar Association.
- 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.
- Intends to publish and make available to the members of the Bar and Bench before the end of September 2020, a Practice Journal, which is designed to enhance the quality of advocacy at the Bar and promote research and continuing legal education; other events earlier slated for this year have been deferred till next year, including the Annual Dinner, Annual Lecture and the BOSAN Scholarship Scheme. The postponement of these events is as a result of the corona virus pandemic and the consequent need to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all concerned. The holding of an Induction Programme for new Senior Advocates is dependent on the decision of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee on the 2020 selection.
- Considering the petition of Deacon Dele Adesina SAN on the last NBA national election and mindful of the report and decision of the Board of Trustees of the NBA thereon, and guided by the inaugural address of the President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, 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 .
- Is determined to achieve the installation of a flawless electoral system for the NBA and conscious of the need not to take a decision on the said elections without the benefit of detailed facts based on proper investigation and the experience with previous elections, further resolved to set up a five-man Committee for the audit of the 2018 and 2020 NBA elections, in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, comprising the following members:
- Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN (Chairman);
- Mr. Osaro Eghobamien, SAN;
- Chief Yomi Aliyu, SAN;
- Prof Offornze Amucheazi, SAN;
- Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa
5. BOSAN had earlier observed a minute silence in honour of its members who had transited to glory between the last meeting and the present meeting, namely
(i) Dr. Koleade Abayomi SAN – April 2, 2020
(ii) Alhaji Aliyu Umar SAN – April 17, 2020
(iii) Chief Richard Akinjide SAN – April 21, 2020
(iv) Sir Alfred Eghobamien SAN – June 4, 2020
(v) Sir Adebonajo Badejo SAN – June 5, 2020
(vi) Mr. Granville Isetima Abibo SAN – June 15, 2020
(vii) Chief (Mrs.) Phoebe Ajayi-Obe SAN – June 28, 2020
(viii) Alhaji (Dr.) AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN – July 25, 2020
and extended its condolences to their families