The Council of Legal Education has warned candidates awaiting their Call to the Bar to refrain from wearing barristers’ regalia or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally admitted to the Nigerian Bar.
The warning was contained in a notice issued by the Nigerian Law School and signed by the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Aderonke Osho. The notice was made available on Tuesday.
According to the Council, it has observed what it described as a growing and unacceptable trend of prospective lawyers sharing invitations, photographs and videos of themselves dressed in full legal regalia, including wigs and gowns, while portraying themselves as qualified legal practitioners on social media.
The Council also expressed concern that some candidates had begun referring to themselves as “Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court” and attaching the title “Esquire” to their names before being officially called to the Bar.
It noted that such conduct contravenes Section 22 of the Legal Practitioners Act, which regulates who is authorised to practise law in Nigeria.
The Council further criticised the practice of wearing wigs and gowns with casual or non-prescribed clothing, describing it as inconsistent with the dignity, ethics and decorum expected of members of the legal profession.
According to the notice, the conduct also violates Rule 45 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
“The Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School, has observed with concern a rising and unacceptable trend among candidates for Call to the Bar,” the notice stated.
The Council directed all affected candidates to immediately remove any photographs, videos, invitations and other related content that portray them as qualified legal practitioners from social media and other online platforms.
It warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in disciplinary action and may adversely affect a candidate’s eligibility and fitness to be called to the Nigerian Bar.
“Candidates who have breached these Rules are hereby directed to forthwith take down all offending posts, photographs, videos and other related content from all social media and online platforms.
“Non-compliance with this directive may attract disciplinary consequences and may adversely affect the candidate’s eligibility and fitness for Call to the Bar,” the Council added.
