Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was at the Supreme Court on Monday to witness the conferment ceremony of his brother, Akinlolu Osinbajo, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The Vice President was accompanied to the ceremony presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen (SAN), by his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo.
Twenty-eight others were also conferred with the prestigious SAN rank.
They include Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo; former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olusola Oke; former Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Prof Adebambo Adewopo, and Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle.
Others are Chibuike Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Egwuonwu, Bert Igwilo, Sylvester Enema, Ikenna Egbuna, Wilcox Aberton, Michael Aliyu, Francis Egele, Nasser Dangiri, Emeka Okpoko, Sani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Ibrahim, John Odubela, Gboyega Oyewole and Joshua Musa.
The rest are Ibrahim Mohammed, Ekemejero Ohwovorile, Oyetola Oshobi, Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Chiesonu Okpoko, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Professors Enefiok Essien and Sadiq Shikyl.
The inauguration of the new SANs is part of the proceedings of a special court session marking the commencement of the new 2017/2018 legal year of the Supreme Court.
Addressing the new SANs, Onnoghen advised them not to abuse their new position or else it would be withdrawn.
“I must remind you that being a privilege, it can, and shall be withdrawn if abused.
“The privilege you are conferred with today is not intended as a weapon of intimidation or licence for rudeness and arrogance.
“It is an appointment that places both moral and professional duties on you, for which you have been found worthy to bear and discharge.
“As members of the Inner Bar, you now occupy positions of trust and great responsibility.
“Expectedly, you must imbibe every virtue of excellence, integrity, and diligence at all times. You must also remember your duties to the Courts as custodians of justice.”
Vice President Osinbajo became a SAN on September 9, 2002, while serving as attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos State.
His younger brother also served as attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Ogun State.
