The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ as a title prefixing their names.
Mrs Kekere-Ekun, the head of the legal profession in Nigeria, directed that all concerned lawyers should discontinue the practice, which she described as inappropriate and unprofessional.
This was contained in a circular dated 13 July and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The circular, which became public on Friday, warned lawyers to immediately stop using the ‘Barrister’ title “in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements.”
“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the circular addressed to the Supreme Court’s litigation staff, lawyers and court registrars read in part.
