—Why Keyamo wasn’t conferred
By Ameh Ejekwonyilo
Lagos and human rights lawyer Mr. Festus Keyamo lost out in his bid to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) last Friday in Abuja conferred the covetous award on 17 distinguished Nigerian legal practitioners.
Mr Sunday Olorundahunsi, the LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, who announced the names of the conferees while briefing journalist at the Supreme Court said: ‘The committee found the awardees worthy for the title at the end of its general meeting held in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, out of an initial 109 legal practitioners that applied, 23 were shortlisted before the final confirmation of the new Senior Advocates.
He explained that two academicians made the final list and no female lawyer got the award this year, although three of them had applied. The chief registrar said that this year’s award process was very rigorous, adding that the provisions of the LPPC were strictly adhered to in the selection process. “The award is a mark of excellence of the legal profession by the nominee.”
The LPPC scribe said that the awardees would be inaugurated at the beginning of the new legal year in September.
The new Senior Advocates are: Dr Olu Onagoruwa (OFR), Prof. Joash Amupitan, Mr Olusola Idowu, Dr. Ernest Ojukwu, Mr Ahamefula Ejelam, Chief George Onyemenam and Mr Tawo Eja Tawo.
Others are Mr Olatunde Adejuyigbe, Mr Sylvanus Ogwemoh, Dr Adewale Olawoyin, Dr Joshua Olatoke, Mr Teslim Busari, Mr Kevin Nwufo, Dr Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, Mr Oluwakemi Balogun, Mr Hakeem Afolabi and Mr Gerald Ezeuko.
