A newly-appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Abeni Muhammed, has dedicated the award to the human rights' community.

Speaking at a reception organised in his honour at the Akwa Ibom House, Abuja, Muhammed said he owed his new status to his antecedent as a human rights' activist and commitment to philosophy of humility and justice.

The Ilorin-based lawyer said his lowly beginning as a man who had no formal secondary school education made him to perpetually pitch his tent with the under-trodden in the society.

"I grew up in a family of seven children where I was the only one who was sent to school on the singular advocacy of my late mother who could only see me up to Modern School level.

"I owe all my life achievements to Almighty God and I renew my pledge that no client will ever be turned back from my chamber on the account of lack of legal fee," he declared, adding: "That has been my policy and so shall it remain."

Earlier, a retired high court judge from Kwara State, Justice Banji Orilonise, who was chairman of the occasion, described Muhammed as an epitome of humility, hard work and Spartan discipline.

Justice Orilonise stressed the need for all members of the bar and the bench to always defend the rule of law, truth and the course of justice under all circumstances.