As the debate over whether Law teachers should be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria continues the rage, one of the earliest dissenting voices was that of Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN. The former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, in a tweet, questioned why few SANs are angry that their teachers are being conferred with the esteemed rank.
Ojukwu wrote on his official Twitter handle @ernestojukwu, SAN: “Why are few SANs angry that their teachers are made SAN? LPA says SAN is for a lawyer who ‘has achieved distinction in the legal profession in such manner as the committee may from time to time determine. Where did we derive the argument from that it is only for litigation counsel?’”
Adding to the debate in a recent interview with ThisDay Newspaper, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, Professor of Public Law, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children pointed out that without a teacher, there will be no practitioner.
The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee recently released new requirements for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, particularly the requirements for Academics. This has come with many criticisms. What is your opinion?
The changing requirements has been a constant, if you have been following the LPPC Guidelines. They’re continually reviewing, revising and tightening loose ends to enhance the process and ensure that the rank remains a coveted one.
However, this time around, it appears that some significant steps have been taken that will affect in particular, Academics applying to be considered for elevation to the rank of SAN. There has always been strong opposition to Professors taking Silk, and the current guidelines seem to have been tilted in favour of restrictive awards of SAN, whilst relaxing that of Legal Practitioners a bit.
I have come to respect LPPC as a body of distinction, and one that is also responsive in its quest for excellence in raising the Bar. Consequently, I think the body is flexible to revising itself, if they think the changes would become problematic or discriminatory against a group. So, let’s watch and see whether this would stand the test of time. It is pertinent to point out that, Academics walk the toughest track to SANship. You would have noticed that usually one may need to have attained a professorial rank, published extensively, and still be active in NBA at State and national levels. Student’s supervision at the graduate and post-graduate levels is required, including persons the candidates have mentored. I strongly believe that Law Teachers are most deserving of being awarded the rank for their scholarship, teaching and contributions in advancing legal education in Nigeria. Who is the Practitioner, without a Teacher?
Read more…https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/10/who-is-the-practitioner-without-a-teacher/
