13th July, 2012
Nigerian legal practitioners have applauded the elevation of human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Those who spoke in respect of the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on Mr. Falana expressed their happiness at the development and also congratulated him.
Barrister Supo Osewa while congratulating Falana said: “He was overdue for the award. No doubt the conferment is well deserved. It will add integrity to the legal profession,” saying that Falana is a hard-working lawyer.
Another Lagos lawyer, Jerry Omoregie said “though the award came late, it is better late than never. Mr. Falana deserves it.
He described Falana as a fearless lawyer.
The former Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Lagos Branch, Ike Uko, also said Falana deserves the award.
“In fact, this award will spur him to greater heights. The award is bestowed on deserving lawyers by the Privileges Committee of the Body of Benchers.”
Uko congratulated Falana for getting the award.
Editor of Gani Law Publication, Mr. Oluwole Kehinde, said the award was well deserved.
Barrister Bode Olaosebikan said: “Mr. Falana deserves it. We rejoice with him. He had done much for legal practice. Therefore, he deserves the award.”
Barrister Monday Ubani, Chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, said he was particularly excited with the announcement of two members of his branch elevated to the rank of Senior Advocates.
“In the case of Falana, the honour was long overdue. We have been wondering why it has taken so long to honour him. Nevertheless, it is better late than never and we are happy for it.”
Barrister Steve Adaramoye, a human rights lawyer and the coordinator of Free Democracy, said it is a welcome development, adding “even though it came rather late, it is a well deserved honour because Femi Falana has contributed immensely to the development of law.
“Falana belongs to the school of thought that law should be used as a tool of societal re-engineering. And he has stood by this belief for a long time.
“The honour is a reflection that there is still hope where men of honourable character are given awards of highest honour.”
—Akin Kuponyi & Henry Ojelu