The CJN urged the new SANs at the event in Abuja to carry on the status with a sense of responsibility, noting that it demanded high standards of merit.

He said: “I would like to say that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria comes with immense prestige, dignity and greater responsibilities as well.

“Those conferred with the rank are traditionally members of the Inner Bar and revered apostles of the temple of justice.” It is an honour no conferee can afford to toy with.”

Ariwoola commended the members of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee for taking the time to screen and assess all relevant documents submitted by the applicants before making the final decision.

“I can confidently affirm that the committee has done an excellent job,” the CJN said.

Giving further details on the screening of the SANs, Ariwoola said: “The number of applicants for the 2022 Senior Advocate of Nigeria award is 174. Out of this number, 111 are advocates, and 63 are academics.

“The total number of qualified applicants after the preliminary screening is 129, comprising 73 legal practitioners and 56 academics respectively.

“After conducting the specified screening and filtration exercises, the LPPC came up with 62 successful candidates who, by all standards, can be regarded as eminently deserving of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria,” he added.