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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, has warned legal practitioners in the country against adulterating the prestigious rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, usually conferred on lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession.
The LPPC maintained that the rank of SAN remains the highest mark of professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is awarded strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the guidelines issued by the LPPC.
The warning, contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, followed the alleged introduction and use of “Blue Silk” by some lawyers in the country, in place of the original silk meant for SAN rank holders.
The statement, signed by Mr. Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, warned that the introduction, conferment, or use of such a title has no statutory backing and does not emanate from the LPPC or any authority recognised under the Legal Practitioners Act.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has been drawn to the introduction and recent use of the purported title or designation referred to as ‘Blue Silk’ within certain quarters of the legal community.
“The LPPC is a statutory body established under the Legal Practitioners Act and is solely vested with the responsibility of conferring the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“The rank of SAN remains the highest mark of professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is awarded strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the guidelines issued by the LPPC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the LPPC does not recognise any parallel, intermediate, or alternative rank styled as ‘Blue Silk’ or by any other nomenclature purporting to suggest official status, hierarchy, or recognition within the legal profession.
“The introduction, conferment, or use of such a title has no statutory backing and does not emanate from the LPPC or any authority recognised under the Legal Practitioners Act.
“Members of the legal profession and the general public are hereby advised to take note.
“The LPPC views the actions of legal practitioners involved in the establishment of such purported ranks, as well as individuals who present or parade themselves as ‘Blue Silks,’ as conduct that may amount to violations of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023.
“At its meeting held on 12th February 2026, the LPPC resolved to take appropriate steps in line with its statutory mandate to preserve the integrity of the legal profession and the sanctity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“The LPPC remains firmly committed to upholding the integrity, prestige, and exclusivity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and will continue to discharge its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
LPPC warns Nigerian lawyers against adulterating senior advocate rank
