The Nigerian Law Society has rejected the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, asking lawyers to stop using “Barrister” as a title and adopt “Esquire” instead.

The society argued that the directive has no clear basis in existing legislation.

Recall that the CJN directed lawyers and court officials to immediately discontinue the use of “Barrister” before their names in official engagements at the Supreme Court.

The directive was contained in a July 13, 2026 memo signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and addressed to legal practitioners, court registrars and other lawyers.]

The memo said the measure was intended to promote professional standards at the apex court.

However, the NLS, through its Executive Director, Dr Tonye Jaja, in a statement released on Wednesday, said the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962 recognises “Barrister” and “Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” as titles applicable to lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar.

Jaja explained that although the use of “Barrister” alone does not capture the full professional title, “Esquire” is also not expressly provided for in the relevant legislation.

“Using ‘Barrister’ as a title is a half-truth that leaves out the title of ‘Solicitor’. As an alternative title, the title of ‘Esquire’ or its abbreviated version ‘Esq.’ was to be used as the appropriate suffix by Nigerian lawyers in their official correspondences to the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Jaja observed.

He argued that the CJN’s directive could not be traced to any provision of the Legal Practitioners Act.

“The problem with this recommended title of ‘Esquire’, or even other alternatives ‘Barrister-At-Law’ or ‘Attorney-At-Law’ is that they do not appear inside the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962,” Jaja said.

He added that, under the existing legal framework, neither the CJN, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee nor the Nigerian Bar Association could impose requirements on lawyers that were not expressly contained in the Act.

The NLS also challenged what it described as inconsistency in the treatment of the controversial “Blue Silks” rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria, SCN.

The society faulted arguments by the LPPC and Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja suggesting that the SCN title should not be recognised because it is not expressly provided for in the Legal Practitioners Act.

According to the NLS, the fact that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, rank is expressly mentioned in the law does not automatically make other professional titles illegitimate.

Jaja accused the CJN and LPPC of applying different standards in dealing with professional titles.

He stated, “The Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria, SCN, is not stated inside the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962. This is the more reason why neither the NBA nor the LPPC has any powers of regulation over the Blue Silks rank as per the judgment of Hon. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court Abuja.

“It is an act of contradiction and hypocrisy for both the CJN and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to impose a ban upon a title ‘Barrister’ that is explicitly listed inside the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962 and replace it with alternatives that are not explicitly stated inside any statutes.

“Another level of the hypocrisy and contradiction which is manifestly discriminatory in violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is for the CJN and LPPC to permit Nigerian lawyers to use some titles (such as ‘Esquire’ for example) that do not appear in any statutes but attempt to ban the use of others (such as the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria-SCN).”

Jaja further argued that the SAN title itself evolved from the British King’s Counsel tradition rather than being created directly by Nigerian legislation.

He said Nigeria adopted the SAN title in 1975 after inheriting the King’s Counsel tradition, which dates back to the 1500s in Britain, with Francis Bacon identified as the first holder.

He also maintained that the absence of a title from a statute does not, in itself, make its use unlawful.

Jaja said the Senior Counsel of Nigeria title, conferred by the Nigerian Law Society and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria, BOSCON, similarly derives its legitimacy from guidelines rather than direct statutory creation.

He argued that those guidelines were established pursuant to Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 19 of the National Assembly Service Commission Act, 2014.

Source: punchng.com

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The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said the 10th National Assembly is building synergy with the executive to take actions on. bills capable of having impact in the lives of Nigerians.

The Benue lawmaker said the House had initiated and considered several people-oriented legislative measures before similar proposals were brought forward by the executive.

Agbese cited the proposed establishment of state police as an example, insisting that the initiative originated from the National Assembly and had been under consideration for some time.

In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, the lawmaker said the executive’s subsequent introduction of its own bill on state police should not be interpreted as evidence of a rubber-stamp parliament.

Rather, he said, the move presented an opportunity for both arms of government to harmonise their positions and produce a comprehensive proposal before it is transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly.

“The idea is that contrary to the insinuation being created in some quarters that we pass every bill and motion from the executive, I want to clear the air that we are working ahead of the executive on bills that have positive impact on the generality of people,” he said.

On state police, Agbese said, “We have been on the state police bills for sometimes now. The initiative remains solely that of the parliament.

“What the executive have done so far by introducing an executive bill is to come in at the right time for both arms of government to have a refined document at the centre before sending the same proposal to the State Houses of Assembly. It is just to ensure that we don’t waste taxpayers’ resources unnecessarily by going back and forth.”

The Labour Party chieftain also said resolutions reached between the House and security chiefs during sectoral debates were beginning to produce positive results in the fight against insecurity.

He cited the recent rescue operations involving kidnapped victims in Oriire, Oyo State, Kwara State and other parts of the country as indications that security agencies were making progress despite the challenges confronting the country.

“We are beginning to record positive gains despite the numerous challenges that we are being faced with as a country,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs for what he described as a more coordinated approach to the management of security operations.

He noted that the CDS had demonstrated that experience and strategic coordination remained important in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

Agbese also commended the Federal Government for measures targeted at improving the welfare of military personnel, including salary increases and the renovation of military barracks.

He also bared his mind on the call by some lawmakers for the National Assembly to suspend its recess over pressing national issues, particularly insecurity and the non-payment of contractors executing constituency projects across the country.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers under the aegis of the Save Democracy Group had recently raised concerns over what it described as the “nosediving” of Nigeria’s democracy.

The group, comprising members from different political parties and regions, cited alleged constitutional breaches, poor budget implementation, opaque public expenditure, economic hardship and worsening insecurity in a statement issued in Abuja on August 5, 2026.

While acknowledging the concerns raised by his colleagues, Agbese questioned the timing of the demand for the National Assembly to suspend its recess, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.

“One cannot say the highly respected lawmakers are wrong but the timing is suspicious,” he said.

He cautioned lawmakers against allowing the parliament to become a platform for advancing the interests of political actors outside the legislature.

“The 2027 elections are just by the corner and one must be careful not to be seen to be running errands for highly vested political interests outside the parliament,” he said.

Agbese, however, acknowledged concerns over the failure to pay contractors who had executed constituency projects, saying the matter should be addressed rather than politicised.

“The executive have not done well on their promise to pay contractors who have used their resources to execute constituency projects for the lawmakers. It is wrong and no need to sugar coat it,” he said.

According to him, the leadership of the National Assembly was already engaging the executive through parliamentary diplomacy to resolve the issue.

“Our leaders are using parliamentary diplomacy to engage the executive to do the needful,” he said.

He said President Bola Tinubu, having served previously as a senator, should understand the importance of maintaining a productive relationship between the executive and legislature and ensuring the implementation of approved budgets.

“He is not just an experienced parliamentarian who has served the country in that regards, Mr President understands the essence of good and harmonious working relationship with the parliament,” he said.

Agbese also dismissed allegations that the leadership of the House routinely takes critical decisions without the required quorum.

“Some persons said the leadership of the House doesn’t allow quorum before taking critical decisions. That is not true,” he said.

He maintained that the House operates an open and rules-based legislative process consistent with international parliamentary standards.

“We run a transparent legislative process that is of international standard,” he said.

The lawmaker urged members with opposing views to use established parliamentary procedures to resolve disagreements rather than resorting to confrontation.

“I doubt if the parliamentarians who want to fight have any boxing experience. We can’t allow that,” he said.

The comments come amid growing scrutiny of the relationship between the executive and legislature as the 10th National Assembly approaches the 2027 general elections.

The House of Representatives has continued to face pressure to strengthen its oversight of government spending, accelerate the implementation of approved budgets and respond more directly to insecurity and economic hardship.

Agbese’s defence of the legislature underscores the position of the House leadership that parliament is not merely reacting to executive proposals but is actively shaping legislation and policy responses to some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

Source: punchng.com

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