Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has issued a formal prohibition against lawyers using the prefix Barrister in any official communication. This decision was formalized in a July 13 memorandum signed by Supreme Court Chief Registrar Kabir Akanbi, which labeled the practice as unprofessional and unsuitable for the standards of the judiciary.
The directive applies to all legal practitioners, litigation staff, and court registrars. It mandates an immediate end to using the title on identity cards, court documents, official records, and any professional engagements. Leaders across all court levels are tasked with enforcing this rule strictly.
This policy follows public criticism from the Body of Benchers. Chairman HRM Albert Akpomuje, SAN, recently noted during an Abuja Call-to-Bar event that the title is frequently misused, especially by non-practicing lawyers in politics who wish to highlight their legal background. He clarified that while individuals can identify as lawyers, appending Barrister as a formal title is considered improper and deviates from global professional norms.
