SAN Rank Not An Avenue For Misconduct But A Privilege– AGF

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has sound a note of warning that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a privilege that must not be abused, stressing that it is not an inalienable right for misconduct and can be withdrawn if holders fall below expected standards.

According to reports, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) made these remarks at a Lagos BOSAN dinner marking the SAN rank’s 50th anniversary.

AGF Spokesman Cites Special Adviser Comments

In a statement issued on Sunday by Kamarudeen Ogundele cited his comments.

Special Adviser to the President (Communication and Publicity) in the Office of the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Fagbemi said, “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!, he said.

“The rank is a privilege, and, like all privileges, it can be withdrawn if the recipient denigrates or lives below the standard of the privilege.”

AGF Reaffirms LPPC: SAN Title Not Permanent

The AGF has firmly reiterated the position of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

Emphasizing that the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title is not a lifelong entitlement.

LPPC holds authority to review and revoke SAN honor from recipients guilty of misconduct or professional lapses.

In making this statement, the AGF highlighted the LPPC’s explicit policy that the SAN designation remains conditional and revocable.

SAN rank holders must uphold highest integrity, ethics, and practice standards to preserve title’s prestige uncompromised.

Fagbemi, who also chairs BOSAN, called for discipline to begin internally within the body, rather than relying solely on external regulatory system.

“Enforcing discipline must start in-house, from our Body.

It is, in fact, best that we, as a Body, self-regulate and not foist the entire burden of regulating the Rank on the LPPC or, worse, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC),” he said.

He further cautioned junior lawyers against misconduct towards SANs.

Urging them to honour the rank, even as he reminded Senior Advocates to uphold high ethical standards.

At the dinner event, BOSAN formally inducted a total of 134 new SANs—87 from the 2024 set and 57 from the 2025 set.

Five Prestigious University Law Students Receive Scholarships

In addition, five law students from Nigerian prestigious universities also received scholarships during the ceremony.

Fagbemi praised CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, special guest of honour at the ceremony.

He noted BOSAN-LPPC collaboration has strengthened SAN rank and legal profession significantly.