By Ofem Kebesobase

The Body of Benchers has conferred on the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, Kwara Chief Judge, Suleiman Kawu and 10 others the rank of Life Bencher of the Body.

This was confirmed a a meeting of the Body was presided over by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief O. C. J. Okocha SAN and prior before then, a committee had earlier on recommended conferment of the honour on deserving Legal Practitioners.

It would be recalled that controversies still continue to trail the action of the learned AGF for purportedly amending the Rules of Professional Conduct unilaterally without the sanction of the General Council of the Bar.

In a new development, however, the Body of Benchers deemed it expedient to honour the learned AGF, Malami with the rank of Life Bencher, amidst the controversies.

Others include Justice A. G. Mshelia, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Jos; Justice P. O. Nnadi, Chief Judge of Imo State; Justice M. L. Abimbola, Chief Judge of Oyo State; Kaka Shehu Lawan, Attorney-General of Borno State; Uwemedimo Nwoko, Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State; Mr. Sulaiman Usman, Attorney-General of Sokoto State; Mr. Francis Chuka Agbu SAN, NBA Representative at the Body of Benchers; Chief Ferdinand Orbih SAN, NBA Representative at the Body of Benchers; Dr. T. C. Osanakpo SAN, NBA Representative at the Body of Benchers, and Mr. Joe Agi SAN who has been a bencher prior before now.