Former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, has described the planned screening of the newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria by the State Security Service as an attempt to muzzle the Bar and undermine its independence.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Akinboro reiterated the conferment of the SAN is a professional recognition, not a political favour.

“I have followed with keen attention the recent development requiring newly cleared Senior Advocates of Nigeria to undergo screening by the Department of State Services (DSS),” the lawyer said. “The conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a professional recognition, not a political favour. Subjecting SAN-designates to DSS screening undermines the independence of the Bar and the sanctity of due process. We must resist every attempt to muscle the profession.”

Mr Akinboro noted the SAN conferment is a professional rank “rooted in the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and administered solely by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC)”, describing the planned external security vetting by the SSS as intrusive.

“To subject this process to external security vetting, after rigorous scrutiny has already been undertaken by the LPPC, is an intrusion that undermines both the independence of the profession and the sanctity of due process,” Mr Akinboro said.

Stressing that the Bar must be autonomous, the lawyer said the SSS screening, if allowed to stand, would compromise the independence of the courts and the ability of legal professionals to deliver justice without fear or favour.

He noted, “The strength of the Bar has always been its autonomy. If we allow institutions outside the profession to insert themselves into its core processes without legal basis, we open the door to a precedent that may one day compromise not only the rank of SAN but also the independence of our courts, our appointments, and ultimately, our ability to dispense justice without fear or favour.”

Mr Akinboro charged the NBA to resist any attempt to undermine the Bar and protect the framework.

“The Nigerian Bar Association, under our proactive president @afamosigwe, the LPPC, and the @bodyofbenchers must rise to this moment and defend the legal profession’s independence. This is not about individuals; it is about protecting the very framework that gives legitimacy to the rule of law in our country. To remain silent is to acquiesce, and acquiescence today may cost us the profession we hold dear tomorrow,” Mr Akinboro said.

In July, LPPC unveiled the list of 57 lawyers newly elevated to the rank of SAN. The swearing-in ceremony for the conferees will take place in September, following their successful participation in the pre-swearing-in induction programme.