Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, over the planned conferment of the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank on Sulyman Ibrahim, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Kwara State.

The CJN also chairs the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), the body responsible for awarding the SAN title.

In a petition dated May 2026, Saraki argued that Ibrahim’s official conduct falls short of the integrity, honour and professional ethics expected of a prospective SAN. He accused the attorney-general of bringing the legal profession into disrepute by initiating charges that allegedly lacked legal basis and were politically motivated.

Saraki said his petition rests on two key grounds: alleged malicious prosecution and abuse of constitutional powers, as well as claims of frivolous charges and violation of due process.

The former governor of Kwara State maintained that despite being cleared by the federal government’s Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over the 2018 Offa robbery, Ibrahim still filed charges against him and others. He described the charges as deliberately timed to embarrass and damage his reputation.

According to Saraki, he was neither invited by the police nor informed of any allegations prior to the court action, adding that he only became aware of the case when court documents were pasted at his residence in Ilorin, summoning him to appear in court.

He urged the CJN to carefully review Ibrahim’s suitability for the SAN rank, stressing that the honour should be reserved for practitioners who uphold the rule of law and demonstrate exemplary character.

Saraki further alleged that using the criminal justice system for political or personal vendettas undermines the integrity of the legal profession.

To support his claims, he also deposed to an affidavit at the Kwara State High Court.

Recall that in April, the Kwara State Government filed a 20-count charge against Saraki and former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over allegations linked to arming suspects convicted in the Offa robbery case. Other defendants include Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former chief of staff, and Alabi Olalekan, an aide.

Meanwhile, the LPPC recently shortlisted 89 candidates for the conferment of the SAN rank.