There is anxiety within legal circles as the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) today admitted an error in its listing of newly designated Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

In a press release obtained by CITY LAWYER, the committee stated that there was a “mix-up” in the list issued yesterday, saying: “In the press release issued by this office yesterday, 21st October 2021 announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nworka, Chidi Benjamin Esq. listed as No. 43 was mistakenly included in the list of Advocate Appointees. The actual successful applicant that ought to be in the said list is OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA, ESQ.”

Continuing, the LPPC said: “The mix-up is highly regretted and we apologise to all persons affected by it. A corrected version of the list in the order (sic) seniority at the outer Bar is hereby is hereby listed below for record purposes.”

Worried by this development, a senior lawyer-turned-broadcaster wrote: “So the LPPC made one lawyer, his family and friends to celebrate in vain yesterday! I’m still in shock that this error happened.”

However, a leading lawyer who is familiar with the process told CITY LAWYER that it is a “Genuine error,” adding: “They mixed up two names : OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA and NWORKA, BENJAMIN CHIDI. The former is the successful candidate. When they were typing out the names they picked the latter. I think it’s a genuine mistake, particularly for people who are not familiar with Igbo names.”

It is recalled that the committee yesterday brushed aside the call by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to elevate 72 senior lawyers to the coveted rank. BOSAN had called for a suspension of the awards for three years in order to enable a holistic reform of the award process.

Could it be highest bidder thingy?