The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has issued a directive prohibiting all forms of advertisements and adulatory publications by its members.

The directive, signed by BOSAN Secretary Olumide Sofowora SAN, reinforces the ethical standards and principles governing the legal profession, particularly concerning the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The prohibition covers the following: 1. Advertisements: Any promotion of legal services or expertise through print, social, or electronic media. 2. Adulatory Publications: Public expressions of praise or commendation regarding a lawyer’s services or expertise, regardless of the medium. 3. Websites and Social Media: Content on law firm websites or social platforms that contravene professional ethics.

The directive outlined strict consequences for members violating these guidelines, which include: • Ethics Committee Review: Complaints could lead to disciplinary recommendations to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC). • Disciplinary Actions by LPPC: Additional sanctions may be imposed by the LPPC for breaches of this directive.

BOSAN has urged its members to adhere strictly to these rules, emphasizing their importance in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. Members are encouraged to reach out to the BOSAN Secretariat for clarification or assistance. This

directive has sparked debate within the legal community, particularly on social media. Many lawyers have taken to these platforms to question the legal status of BOSAN and its authority to issue such a directive. While BOSAN is a respected body comprising the highest-ranking legal professionals in Nigeria, critics are asking whether its directives hold binding legal power over all Senior Advocates of

Nigeria or if they merely serve as recommendations. Some lawyers have also raised concerns about the potential conflict between this directive and the rights to free expression and professional marketing within permissible ethical boundaries. These discussions have highlighted the need for greater clarity on BOSAN’s jurisdiction and its enforcement mechanisms, with calls for an official explanation regarding its mandate to regulate advertising practices within the profession.

Prominent questions raised include: • What is the statutory or constitutional foundation of BOSAN? • Does BOSAN have the authority to enforce directives, or are they merely advisory? • Could BOSAN’s actions conflict with the jurisdiction of the LPPC, the NBA, or other statutory bodies? While the directive is positioned as an effort to uphold ethical standards, the controversy calls for the need for a clearer legal framework defining

BOSAN’s role and authority within Nigeria’s legal system.

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