The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to stop using the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official correspondence with the Supreme Court.
The directive was contained in a memo dated July 13 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
According to the memo, the CJN said the practice is inappropriate and does not align with the professional standards expected within the Supreme Court.
"I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court Registrars, and lawyers that the use of the title 'Barrister' as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria," the memo stated.
The directive requires all affected officers and legal practitioners to immediately stop using the title before their names in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and other engagements with the Supreme Court.
The memo also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure full compliance with the new directive among staff under their supervision.
The Supreme Court's Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, confirmed the directive.
