GADZAMA CHARGES NEW SENIOR ADVOCATES TO LEAD RESCUE OF THE BAR’S DIGNITY

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At Pre-Conferment Dinner, Chief Gadzama’s Charge: A Call for New Silks to Lead the Rescue of the Bar’s Dignity

Abuja, Nigeria. September 28, 2025 – The pre-conferment dinner for the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) held at Cilantro Restaurant, Maitama, was more than a celebration; a remarkable highlight was a powerful charge from eminent legal luminary, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, OFR, MFR.

Delivering the keynote speech at the event hosted by Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, OFR, Chief Gadzama framed the prestigious SAN rank not as a terminal achievement but as a "commissioning" for greater service, challenging the designates to be ethical guardians of the legal profession.

Under the theme, "The Silk Robe: A Garment of Service, A Shield of Integrity," Gadzama’s address wove personal anecdote with global precedent, whereupon he urged the incoming Silks to internalise the core values of Honesty, Humility, and Honour (and Hospitality)—a framework he credited to a fellow elder, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

“The title SAN is not a retirement package; it is a commissioning,” Gadzama declared. “The challenges do not disappear; they simply change their form. The greatest danger is to believe you have 'arrived'.”

The charge took a firm stance on professional accountability, with Gadzama issuing a stark warning against the erosion of disciplinary standards. He pointed to international cases, including the disbarment of American lawyer Tom Girardi for embezzling client funds, as a “sobering lesson” on what occurs when oversight fails.

“When findings from foreign tribunals become the primary source of accountability for our colleagues, it is a profound indictment on our own internal mechanisms,” he stated. “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria must not be a silent sanctuary; it must be a vigilant guild.”

A significant portion of the address was dedicated to the “Courage of Value,” where Gadzama advocated for adherence to the Legal Practitioners' Remuneration Order. He argued that charging appropriate fees is essential to maintaining the dignity of the rank and preventing a “race to the bottom” that devalues the entire profession.

As the new Senior Advocates prepare for their swearing-in ceremony today, Chief Gadzama’s closing words are likely to resonate: “You are now the guardians of the flame. Carry it with courage, with integrity, and with an unwavering commitment to the belief that the law, in its highest form, is not a weapon for the powerful, but a tool for the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.”