Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr M.O. Ubani, has called for improved organisation of major judicial ceremonies following reports that some senior lawyers were denied entry to the Supreme Court during the recent opening of the Legal Year and conferment of the rank of SAN.
Ubani, a legal practitioner and public affairs commentator, described the incident as unfortunate, saying it raised concerns about professional dignity, institutional respect and the planning of events of national and professional significance.
In a statement, Ubani said videos circulating online showed some senior lawyers in full court attire stranded outside the venue, unable to participate in the ceremony.
He said he watched the scenes while in Europe and felt embarrassed and saddened by the development, noting that those affected were not ordinary guests but experienced legal practitioners who had contributed to the administration of justice and the development of the legal profession over several decades.
According to him, the incident raises questions about how an important event organised to celebrate professional excellence could be conducted in a manner that reportedly left some of its key stakeholders unable to gain entry.
Ubani stressed that the opening of the Legal Year and the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria were significant institutional occasions that symbolised professional achievement, the administration of justice and the relationship between the Bench and the Bar.
While acknowledging that politicians, public officials, family members and friends of newly conferred SANs were entitled to attend and celebrate the occasion, he said accommodating all invited guests required careful planning, effective coordination and a reliable admission process.
He argued that where seating capacity was limited, organisers should have anticipated attendance, coordinated invitations and accreditation, established clear entry procedures and provided adequate guidance for guests.
Ubani further emphasised that the rank of SAN was one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria, adding that senior lawyers who had spent decades practising, mentoring younger colleagues and upholding the rule of law deserved due consideration at such events.
He, however, clarified that senior advocates were not entitled to preferential treatment simply because of their titles, but deserved the same respect and consideration due to every invited participant.
He said their presence at the ceremony represented professional solidarity, continuity and the transmission of the traditions of the Bar from one generation of lawyers to another.
Calls for explanation
Ubani called on the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported exclusion of some senior lawyers.
He also alleged that several senior advocates, including a state attorney-general, were humiliated after being asked by officials to leave the hall, and questioned why such a situation was allowed to occur.
He urged the relevant authorities to establish whether attendance estimates, seating arrangements, accreditation procedures and the coordination of invited guests were adequately handled.
The lawyer said the objective should not be to apportion blame without hearing all sides but to establish the facts and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
“If inadequate planning or poor coordination contributed to the incident, the appropriate response should be an acknowledgement of the shortcomings and a clear commitment to correcting them in future,” he said.
Ubani added that a timely explanation and practical corrective measures would reassure members of the Bench and Bar that lessons had been learnt.
Urges better planning of future ceremonies
The legal practitioner called for realistic assessments of expected attendance, seating capacity and security requirements ahead of future conferment ceremonies and other major judicial events.
He also recommended better coordination of invitations and accreditation, clearer communication of admission procedures, and the deployment of sufficient personnel to manage entry and resolve difficulties.
According to him, organisers should establish contingency arrangements for unexpected attendance and ensure that any necessary restrictions on entry are implemented in an orderly, transparent and respectful manner.
He maintained that the success of a judicial ceremony should be measured not only by the personalities present or the grandeur of the proceedings but also by the quality of its organisation and the dignity accorded to participants.
Ubani warned that repeated incidents of this nature could discourage older SANs from attending future ceremonies, describing such a development as regrettable because their participation strengthens professional bonds and enriches the occasion.
He urged the CJN’s office, event organisers and BOSAN to treat the incident as an opportunity for reflection and institutional improvement rather than recrimination.
Ubani expressed hope that the reported incident would remain an isolated occurrence and that future ceremonies would be remembered for their dignity, effective organisation and professional fellowship rather than the embarrassment of invited guests.
“The older silks deserve respect. The new silks deserve a dignified welcome. The Bench and the Bar deserve ceremonies that reflect their professional standing and institutional importance,” he said.