A suit seeking recognition of the “Blue Silk” rank for legal practitioners in Nigeria has been dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja for lacking legal basis.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the suit was without merit, stressing that only bodies established by law can regulate the legal profession and confer honorary ranks within it.
The judge ruled that the applicants could not rely on their constitutional right to freedom of association to create or recognise a parallel professional distinction outside the framework governing the legal profession.
The court held that the legal profession in Nigeria is strictly regulated by statute and does not permit individuals or groups to create alternative titles or structures not recognised by law.
Justice Omotosho declared the proposed “Blue Silk” rank invalid and inconsistent with the Legal Practitioners Act, emphasizing that the authority to confer the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, rests solely with the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the applicants from awarding the “Blue Silk” title or any similar rank without legal backing.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners alongside Dr. Tonye Jaja, who challenged a disciplinary notice issued over the promotion of the title.
The applicants argued that their rights to freedom of association and fair hearing were violated, and sought damages, a public apology, and an order restraining disciplinary action against them.
However, the respondents, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LPPC, urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that the applicants lacked the legal authority to create or confer such a rank.
In its ruling, the court upheld the respondents’ arguments and held that the applicants failed to establish any violation of their fundamental rights.
Editor: Ada Ononye
