File photo
A
security operative that accompanied a governor to Supreme court's main
door was manhandled, with the buttons on his shirt removed which caused a
stir during the swearing-in of lawyers at the apex court in Abuja. According to a report by Vanguard, security operatives at the
Supreme Court on Monday engaged in a free-for-all after persons in the
entourage of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were denied entry into
the hall where 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were being
sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
A plain-clothed policeman that accompanied the governor to the apex
court main door was manhandled, with the buttons on his shirt removed
by the security operatives which comprised both the Police and officers
from a private security firm, Halogen.
Governor Bello, who was temporarily delayed at the door, had
already entered inside the apex court when the fight that led to
smashing of a camera belonging to a photojournalist broke out.
Aside his supporters, equally locked out by the operatives included
some judges and SANs that were already at the apex court by 9:30am for
the event that commenced by 10am.
It took a long time to secure entry for some of the judges, among
whom included Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court. Meanwhile,
the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, are among
dignitaries at the main courtroom of the apex court where the
swearing-in ceremony took place.
Osinbajo’s brother, Akinlolu, who was former Attorney General of
Ogun State, is among the new SANs. Others are the Attorney General of
Kwara State, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, former national legal adviser of
the Peoples Democratic Party and gubernatorial candidate of Alliance
for Democracy in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, human rights lawyer,
Festus Keyamo, Chibuike Adindu Nwanne Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Nnaemeka
Egwuonwu, Bert Chukwuneta Igwilo, Sylvester Emenike Elema, Ikenna Victor
Egbuna, Wilcox Achace Abereton, Michael Abayomi Bidade Alliyu, Francis
Forum Egele, Prof. Enefiok Effiong Essien.
Equally on the list are Prof. Sadiq Sylvester Shikyl, Prof.
Adebambo Anthony Adewopo, Prof. Adedeji Olusegun Adekunle, Nasser Abdu
Dangiri, Emeka Peter Okpoko, Sani Hussani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Atadoga
Ibrahim.
Also on the list are John Olusegun Odubela, Gboyega Oyewole, Joshua
Yusuf Musa, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, Oyetola Oshobi,
Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Ogunwumiju and Chiesonu Okpoko.
Even though 30 senior lawyers were initially okayed for elevation
to the prestigious SAN rank, however, the Legal Practitioners’
Privileges Committee, LLPC, last Friday, suspended the swearing-in of
the only female on the list, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun.
The LPPC said it deferred Mrs. Bashorun’s confirmation to await the
conclusion of investigation into issues surrounding her eligibility for
the rank.
According to a statement by Secretary to the LPPC and Chief
Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Hadiza Mustapha, Bashorun will be
investigated by a panel set up by the CJN who doubles as Chairman of the
LPPC.
Mrs. Mustapha had earlier revealed that a total of 156 senior lawyers applied to be conferred the SAN rank.
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