For The First Time, Two EFCC Lawyers Take Silk
Two prosecutors with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Sylvanus Tahir and Rotimi Oyedepo were among 62 senior lawyers that were sworn in yesterday, 28th November 2022 as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Also, sworn in is Wahab Shittu, who has prosecuted several cases for the EFCC.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged the new Silk to take on their new status with all sense of responsibility as it required high standards of merit.
“I would like to say that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria comes with immense prestige, dignity and greater responsibilities as well.
“Traditionally, those conferred with the rank automatically become members of the inner bar and revered apostles of the temple of justice. It is an honour no conferee can afford to toy with.
“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee took time to screen and assess all the relevant documents submitted by the applicants before arriving at its decision. I can confidently affirm that the committee has done an excellent job”.
He disclosed that.174 lawyers applied for the prestigious rank in 2022, from which the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee settled for 62 candidates “who, by all standards, can be regarded as eminently deserving of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in his remarks, urged the new SANs to live up to their new status as it was one of the most sought-after titles within the legal profession.
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was among the dignitaries that witnessed the ceremony, congratulated Tahir and Oyedepo for their groundbreaking achievement as the first set of EFCC staff to bag the prestigious title. He said he was not surprised by their elevation as they have demonstrated passion, industry and commitment to their profession and the cause of fighting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
