Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected the purported conferment of the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) rank, also known as Blue Silk, by the Nigerian Law Society.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, the former Minister of Aviation said he neither authorised nor personally approved acceptance of the designation. He described the circumstances surrounding the conferment as an unfortunate administrative misjudgment.
Fani-Kayode explained that members of his staff represented him at the event after the society sent an invitation to his office as part of his official engagements. He stressed that neither their attendance nor any subsequent communication made on his behalf should be taken as his personal endorsement or acceptance of the rank.
The statement said the representation and the communication of acceptance were regrettable and occurred without any intention to misrepresent his personal position or professional convictions.
The envoy also raised concerns about the legal and professional implications of the purported conferment, citing the statutory framework that regulates the legal profession in Nigeria and judicial pronouncements on ranks conferred outside the established system.
Describing himself as a legal practitioner of more than 41 years, Fani-Kayode said he would not knowingly engage in any conduct that violates the law, undermines the integrity of the legal profession or brings it into disrepute. He noted that he comes from a family with three generations of legal practitioners and remains committed to upholding the law, professional ethics and the traditions of the profession.
The clarification, dated November 6, 2026, was intended to put his position on record, dispel misconceptions arising from the incident and reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law and the dignity of the legal profession.
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