Renowned activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged plan by the Department of State Services (DSS) to screen lawyers recently shortlisted for elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Naijaonpoint reports that the controversy follows concerns raised on Monday by senior lawyer, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who described the planned DSS involvement as illegal and a threat to the independence of the legal profession.

Akinboro warned that allowing the secret police to screen SAN designates could amount to undermining the sanctity of the judiciary and professional self-regulation.

Reacting via his official 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, Sowore criticised what he called the erosion of courage and conviction across Nigeria’s institutions.

He wrote: “Nigerians, at nearly every level, have capitulated, weighed down by the sheer force of their individual and collective weaknesses.

“The collapse of courage and conviction is everywhere you look.

“Imagine the @OfficialDSSNG now screening Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The so-called guardians of justice are reduced to seeking clearance from the very instruments of oppression. C’est fini. Nigeria is down!”

Naijaonpoint understands that the DSS had neither confirmed nor denied claims of the alleged screening exercise as of the time of filing this report.

In July 2025, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) shortlisted 57 legal practitioners for elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The development has since sparked debate over the independence of the legal profession and the influence of state security agencies in judicial matters.