By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Council of Legal Education (CLE), Nigerian Law School, has warned candidates preparing for the forthcoming Call to the Bar ceremony against the unauthorised use of barristers’ regalia, cautioning that those who portray themselves as qualified lawyers before the official ceremony risk disciplinary action that could affect their eligibility for admission into the legal profession.
In a notice signed by the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Aderonke O. Osho, the Council expressed concern over what it described as a growing and unacceptable trend of candidates circulating photographs, videos and invitation materials showing themselves dressed in full legal regalia (wig and gown) before their official Call to the Bar.
According to the Council, some candidates have also been portraying themselves as qualified legal practitioners by referring to themselves as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and appending the title “Esquire” to their names, thereby creating the impression that they have already been admitted to legal practice.
The Council noted that such actions contravene Section 22 of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA), which restricts the right to practise law in Nigeria to persons who have been duly called to the Nigerian Bar.
It also frowned on the practice of candidates wearing the wig and gown alongside casual or other unauthorised clothing, describing the conduct as inconsistent with the dignity, decorum and professional standards expected of the legal profession.
According to the notice, such conduct further violates Rule 45 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) governing the use of legal regalia.
The Council directed all affected candidates to immediately remove all offending photographs, videos, invitation materials and other related content from social media platforms and other online channels.
It warned that failure to comply with the directive could attract disciplinary sanctions and may adversely affect a candidate’s eligibility and fitness for the Call to the Bar.
The directive underscores the Nigerian Law School’s determination to preserve the integrity, ethics and discipline of the legal profession while ensuring that aspiring legal practitioners adhere strictly to the standards expected before their formal admission to the Nigerian Bar.