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NLS, BOSCON Insist on Right to Confer Blue Silks Rank Despite NBA Opposition
NLS, BOSCON Insist on Right to Confer Blue Silks Rank Despite NBA Opposition
The controversy surrounding the introduction of the Blue Silks rank as an alternative to the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title has taken another dramatic turn, as the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) have firmly declared that they possess the autonomy to confer the rank without interference from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) or any other institution.
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The dispute over the Blue Silks initiative has continued to generate intense debate within Nigeria’s legal community since the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) introduced the rank as an alternative recognition for lawyers considered deserving of professional honour.
The NBA, however, rejected the initiative, describing the Blue Silks rank as illegal. The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), the statutory body responsible for conferring the SAN title, also warned that lawyers who parade themselves with the Blue Silks designation could face sanctions for professional misconduct.
The disagreement soon found its way to the courts after ALDRAP approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to restrain the NBA and other parties from interfering with matters relating to the Blue Silks rank.
Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of the NBA and the other respondents, issuing a perpetual injunction restraining ALDRAP from continuing to confer the Blue Silks rank.
Despite the court’s ruling, ALDRAP has since appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
In May 2026, the Nigerian Law Society and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria announced that they would assume responsibility for conferring the Blue Silks rank on qualified and interested lawyers, effectively keeping the initiative alive despite the legal setback.
The latest development has now seen both organisations reaffirming their determination to continue with the conferment process, insisting that the matter falls strictly within their internal affairs.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by Peace Ambassador Dahiru Aliyu, SCN, President of the Nigerian Law Society, on behalf of the governing councils of the NLS and BOSCON, the organisations argued that just as the NBA recently asserted its independence regarding the conduct of its national elections, they equally possess the autonomy to administer the Blue Silks rank.
The statement was issued in response to the recent position of NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, who rejected the Attorney-General of the Federation’s suggestion that the NBA’s 2026 national election should be postponed.
Osigwe had maintained that the Attorney-General has no statutory authority over the NBA and therefore cannot dictate how the association conducts its affairs.
Drawing a parallel with the NBA’s position, the NLS and BOSCON declared:
“The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) declare their autonomy to conduct their internal affairs such as conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) upon its own members without interference from outsiders just as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) declared its autonomy to conduct its election without interference from the Hpn. AGF.
“The joint leadership of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) which are duly registered organisations with certificates of registration dated 30th December 2025 deem it necessary to issue this press statement to notify the general public as follows:
“The conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) upon members of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) is 100% internal affairs of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) using the criteria of 35 verifiable non-litigation transactions as assessed by the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON).
“None of the candidates are coerced into application for the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), each candidate submits an application out of their own voluntary, free will and pays the prescribed relevant fees out of the firm conviction that the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) is a credible rank of legal excellence for non-litigation Nigerian lawyers.
“The applicants by payment of the requisite application fees and appending of their signatures and upon taking the oath during the conferment ceremony agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of both the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON), the said Rules and Regulations made pursuant to both the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 and the SMEDAN Act, 2003 respectively.
“Just as the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has by its press statement of 8th July 2026 declared it’s autonomy and stated that only the leadership, and its Board of Trustees have the right to govern its internal affairs, the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) hereby notify the general public that no individual, or government officials or institution shall henceforth issue any publications with the intention to interfere with its conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN).
“The Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) is an internal affair of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the BOSCON as it is not mentioned inside the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962. In accordance with the judgment of the Hon.
“Mohamed Garba Umar, delivered on 27th January 2026, neither the NBA nor the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) or any other person (individual or juristic) has the right or authority to interfere with the said conferment of the Blue Silks rank of S
enior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN).”
