Activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the reported screening of new Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, designates by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Sowore expressed his disapproval in a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, describing the development as a setback for the country’s legal independence.
His reaction followed concerns raised on Monday by a senior advocate, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who alleged that the DSS was attempting to interfere in the elevation process of legal practitioners.
Akinboro stated that such a move was unconstitutional and threatened the independence of the Nigerian legal profession.
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Sowore, in his statement, lamented what he termed a collapse of courage across all levels of the nation.
“Nigerians, at nearly every level, have capitulated, weighed down by the sheer force of their individual and collective weaknesses,” he wrote.
He further stated: “The collapse of courage and conviction is everywhere you look. Imagine the @OfficialDSSNG now screening Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The so-called guardians of justice are reduced to seeking clearance from the very instruments of oppression. C’est fini. Nigeria is down!”
The DSS has neither confirmed nor denied the reports as of the time of filing this story.
It will be recalled that in July 2025, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, shortlisted 57 lawyers for possible elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The screening controversy has since generated debate among legal practitioners, with many awaiting official clarification from the relevant authorities.
The LPPC is expected to release the final list of successful SAN designates later this year.
