The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has ordered lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names during all official business and filings at the Supreme Court.
The directive was issued via a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and made public on Friday, July 31, 2026. The apex court declared the practice inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards and traditions expected at the nation’s highest bench.
Key Directive Highlights
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Immediate Cessation of Use: The ban applies with immediate effect to all legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers conducting business with the apex court.
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Scope of Documents Covered: Affected personnel are instructed to discontinue placing “Barrister” before their names on court filings, official correspondence, identity materials, affidavits, and formal legal records.
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Strict Enforcement Mandate: Heads of departments and unit heads across the Supreme Court hierarchy have been directed to ensure total compliance among officers and legal counsel under their supervision.
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Reinforcing Legal Tradition: The order aligns with long-standing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ethical codes and judicial precedents (such as NBA v. Ofomata), which establish that “Barrister” is a description of a qualification rather than an official honorific prefix.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SUPREME COURT TITLE DIRECTIVE MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Issuing Authority: Chief Justice of Nigeria (Justice Kekere-Ekun) │
│ │
│ • Signatory : Kabir Akanbi (Chief Registrar, Supreme Court) │
│ │
│ • Banned Format : "Barrister" as a prefix (e.g., "Barrister A. B.") │
│ │
│ • Affected Domains : Official filings, correspondence, records, │
│ identity cards, and Supreme Court appearances. │
│ │
│ • Enforcement Date : Immediate effect (July 31, 2026) │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Supreme Court of Nigeria Memorandum & Registry Directives)
“Inappropriate and Inconsistent with Professional Standards”
Reiterating the apex court’s commitment to maintaining dignified legal etiquette and global common law standards, the Chief Registrar’s circular stated:
“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… Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.” — Memorandum from the Office of the Chief Registrar
The directive comes alongside renewed calls by legal education authorities for strict adherence to the Rules of Professional Conduct across all levels of the Nigerian judiciary.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
