The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has challenged the legal authority of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to stop lawyers from using the title “barrister” before their names during official engagements at the Supreme Court.
Key Highlights
- NLS challenges Supreme Court directive: The Nigerian Law Society has questioned the legal authority of Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to restrict lawyers from using the title “barrister” during official engagements at the Supreme Court.
- “Esquire” directive sparks controversy: A July 13, 2026 memorandum reportedly directed lawyers and court officials to stop using “barrister” and adopt “esquire” instead.
- NLS questions legal basis: The society argued that the directive lacks clear statutory backing under Nigeria’s legal framework.
- Legal Practitioners Act cited: NLS said the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 recognises “barrister” and “solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” as professional descriptions for lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar.
- “Esquire” not expressly recognised: The society maintained that neither “esquire” nor “esq.” is expressly recognised as a professional designation under the Act.
The society argued that the chief justice has no clear statutory authority to impose such a restriction on legal practitioners.
The controversy followed a July 13, 2026, memorandum issued by the Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, Kabir Akanbi, directing lawyers, court registrars and other legal practitioners to discontinue the use of “barrister” and instead adopt “esquire” as their professional designation.
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The directive was reportedly introduced to promote professional standards and uniformity in official proceedings at the apex court.
However, the NLS, through its Executive Director, Tonye Jaja, has rejected the directive, questioning its legal foundation.
Jaja argued that the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 recognises “barrister” and “solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” as professional descriptions applicable to lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar.
Although he acknowledged that using “barrister” alone may not constitute a lawyer’s complete professional designation, he questioned the legal basis for replacing the title with “esquire”.
According to the NLS, neither “esquire” nor “esq.” is expressly recognised by the Legal Practitioners Act.
The society consequently maintained that the chief justice, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee and even the Nigerian Bar Association cannot lawfully impose professional requirements that are not supported by the relevant legislation.
