THIS DAWN — The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from interfering in the newly introduced Blue Silks rank for Nigerian lawyers.
The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/2547/2025, argues that the NBA has no jurisdiction over the Blue Silks initiative.
ALDRAP insisted that it was established under the constitutional right to freedom of association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to ALDRAP, the NBA should focus on the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank, which has come under criticism from lawyers due to its high application fee of ₦5 million.
Instead, it claimed the NBA has shifted its attention to the Blue Silks rank, prompting ALDRAP to seek judicial protection.
The Blue Silks rank, unveiled earlier this year, comprises three categories:
- Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN)
- Senior Legislative Counsel of Nigeria (SELCON)
- Senior Legal Academic (SLA)
ALDRAP explained that the initiative was designed to provide recognition for distinguished practitioners across different branches of the legal profession.
Unlike the SAN rank, the Blue Silks application fee is set at ₦500,000, making it more accessible to a wider pool of lawyers.
‘NBA’s involvement unnecessary’
The association noted that Nigerian lawyers have shown strong interest in the program, with applications increasing steadily since its launch.
ALDRAP insists that the NBA’s involvement is unnecessary and potentially disruptive.
This is more so as preparations are underway for the maiden investiture ceremony scheduled for December 2025.
“As a law-abiding corporate citizen, we have approached the Federal High Court to stop the NBA from meddling or interfering with the Blue Silks investiture,” ALDRAP stated.
The case is expected to test the boundaries of professional regulation within Nigeria’s legal community.
It also raising questions about the autonomy of associations to create alternative recognition systems outside the NBA’s traditional structures.
With the investiture ceremony drawing closer, the legal battle could shape the future of professional honors in Nigeria’s legal sector and redefine how excellence is recognized across different fields of practice.
This Dawn reached out to the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, for his reaction on the suit, but he has yet to respond at the moment of this publication.
