Two legal organisations have staked claims to confer the Blue Silks rank, an alternative title to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, amid an ongoing court battle over its legitimacy. The Nigerian Law Society and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria made the declaration on Friday through a joint statement.
The controversy began when the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners introduced the Blue Silks rank as a parallel honour to the SAN title. The Nigerian Bar Association rejected it outright, calling the rank illegal and warning lawyers who adopt it could face professional misconduct sanctions.
ALDRAP then approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the NBA from interfering with Blue Silks conferment. Justice James Omotosho ruled against ALDRAP, issuing a perpetual injunction that bars the organisation from continuing to confer the rank.
ALDRAP has since appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal. However, the NLS and BOSCON announced in May 2026 that they would assume responsibility for granting the Blue Silks rank to qualified lawyers.
The NLS and BOSCON now insist they possess the autonomy to confer the rank without any external interference. Peace Ambassador Dahiru Aliyu, who serves as NLS president, signed the statement on behalf of both organisations' governing councils.
Their position mirrors the NBA's recent stance on electoral independence. NBA President Afam Osigwe rejected suggestions from the Attorney-General of the Federation that the NBA postpone its 2026 national election, asserting the AGF holds no statutory authority over the association.
The joint statement from NLS and BOSCON drew a direct parallel to Osigwe's position. "Just as the NBA declared its autonomy to conduct its election without interference from the AGF, we also have autonomy to confer the Blue Silks rank without interference," the statement essentially conveyed.
Both the NLS and BOSCON are duly registered organisations with certificates of registration dated 30 December 2025. They emphasised this legal standing in their declaration of independence on the matter.
The NLS and BOSCON further notified the public that they remain committed to conducting their internal affairs without outside interference. The statement stressed that conferring professional ranks falls squarely within their jurisdiction as autonomous bodies.
The Blue Silks controversy continues to divide Nigeria's legal profession. While some lawyers view it as a legitimate alternative honour, others see it as a threat to the established SAN system.
The NBA's position remains unchanged—it views the Blue Silks rank as unauthorised and potentially damaging to professional standards. The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, which exclusively confers SAN status, has maintained this stance throughout the dispute.
The Court of Appeal's decision on ALDRAP's appeal could significantly influence how the legal community proceeds. For now, the NLS and BOSCON have made their intentions clear: they'll continue awarding the Blue Silks rank regardless of the NBA's objections.
