CJN confers SAN rank on Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Lough

Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Simon Asamber Lough, the Head of Chambers, Legal Section of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been conferred with the prestigious and covetous rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). With his investiture of the rank of SAN, he is the first serving member of the Nigeria Police Force and any other uniform agency in Nigeria to attain the feat in the legal profession.

The elevation of the officer is on the heels of his outstanding contribution to the development of law in Nigeria, in addition to his enviable feats in the legal profession.

He was sworn in on Wednesday, 8th December, 2021 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, following recommendations and approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

ACP Lough, a Police prosecutor par excellence, joined the police as a cadet officer (ASP) in 2000.

Twenty-one years down the line in public service, ACP Lough has served in various departments of the Force including the legal section and held national positions on implementing legal policies for the country.

Notable amongst his contributions and achievements is his record of securing over 100 convictions of cases of armed robbery, murder, rape, financial crimes, amongst others.

He also successfully defended several high-profile cases and got 33 judgements at the Court of Appeal and seven at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

These achievements have earned him several commendations and awards within and outside Nigeria.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, while congratulating Lough (SAN) noted that the achievement is a testament to his exemplary hard work, dedication, tenacity and affirmation to the age long maxim that ‘hard work truly pays’.

The IGP further charged the officer to consider the accomplishment as a platform that should propel him towards the fulfillment of other lofty goals and more professional services to the NPF in particular and the nation in general.

Meanwhile, the CJN swore in 71 other legal practitioners recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The ceremony which took place at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court in Abuja marked the commencement of a new legal year for the apex court.

Out of the 159 senior lawyers that applied for the rank during the year, 72 made the list, of which 10 are academic appointees and 62 advocate appointees.

The CJN admonished them to forge ahead with the right mindset and disposition to attain more impactful results.

He said the Supreme Court and by extension, the Nigerian Judiciary, had fared well in the outgone legal year even though the horizon was roughened by overwhelming challenges.