Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (“BOSAN“) came into existence around 1981. Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN was appointed as the Chairman of the Body by virtue of his position as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation during the Administration of President, Shehu Shagari from 1979 – 1983.
Meetings were held at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Marina, Lagos. Thereafter, late Mr. Kehinde Sofola, SAN was appointed as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation in October, 1983 and became the Chairman of the Body for three months. From 1984 – 1985, late Chief Chike Ofodile, SAN served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation. He was appointed Chairman of the Body and Late Mr. Kehinde Sofola SAN was appointed as the first treasurer of the Body on March 31, 1984.
From September 12, 1985 – December 4, 1991, Prince Bola Ajibola served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation. He was appointed Chairman of the Body. Under his Leadership, the welcome dinner which was the event to welcome new silks was changed to a special luncheon at the 28th meeting of Body that held on October 11, 1986. The welcome dinner was held on the date of the conferment of the rank of the new silks and was attended with learned silks in their ceremonial robes. The last welcome dinner was held on July 10, 1986 at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos. Subsequently, the special luncheon for new silks was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The first annual subscription dues of the Body was N50 (Fifty Naira) and later increased to N200 (Two Hundred Naira) in 1986. The Body’s account was first opened at Allied Bank in the 1980s. From 1991-1993, late Sir. Clement Akpamgbo, SAN served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation and became the Chairman of the Body and from 1993-1994, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation and became the Chairman of the Body. During this period, members could no longer hold meetings at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos because of the political instability during the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s military regime and the venue of the meeting moved to late Chief F.R.A Williams chambers at House 1, Shagamu Avenue, lupeju, Lagos. The late Chief F.R.A Williams, SAN, chaired most meetings and late Professor Safiriyu, Abiodun Adesanya, SAN was later appointed treasurer.
From late 1990s to early 2000, the venue of the meeting moved to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. Late Chief F.R.A Williams, SAN continued to preside at the meetings of the Body as the most senior member and that tradition was established. The late chief Babashola Orobiyi-Rhodes, S.A.N was appointed as the Secretary.
From the mid 2000s, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo, SAN was appointed the Secretary, Mr. Kola Awodein, SAN was appointed the Assistant Secretary (I), Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN was appointed the Assistant Secretary (Il), Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN was appointed the Treasurer and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde ,SAN was appointed the Financial Secretary. During this period, the Secretariat was located at the secretary’s office at 209, Igbosere Road, Lagos Island.
The annual subscription dues increased to N12, 000.00 (Twelve Thousand Naira) in 2007; N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) in 2009 and N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) in 2016.
On May 31, 2011, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria was incorporated as an Incorporated Trustee and engaged the services of professional auditors, Messrs. Agbaje, lge & Co., to annually conduct an audit of the financial statements of the Body to ensure compliance with provisions of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (F.R.C).
On April 3, 2017, the secretariat moved from the office of the Secretary located at No. 209 Igbosere Road, Lagos Island to Room 18, Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The aims and objectives of the Body is pursued in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the General Council of the Bar and any other Body conferred by law with the responsibility for the regulation of legal profession in Nigeria.
For additional information about the Body including its aims and objectives or you can send an email to bosanigeria@gmail.com and our secretariat team will respond to your enquires.
The secretariat can also be contacted by dialing 0704-4444124 and 0903-1352227 or you can visit us at room 18, Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.