Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.
The Nigerian Television Authority announced the development on Monday through a news flash on its official X account, accompanied by photographs and video footage from the ceremony.
The conferment followed the approval of the candidates by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) about three months ago.
The committee approved the elevation of the 68 recipients during its 174th plenary session, chaired by Kekere-Ekun.
A statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola, said the new SANs comprise 67 legal practitioners and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
Obiaraeri was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship, making him the only academic among the recipients.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest distinctions in the country’s legal profession. It is conferred on practitioners who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement in advocacy or legal scholarship.
LPPC cautions recipients against prohibited publicity
Ahead of the conferment, the LPPC directed the successful candidates to participate in a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced later.
The committee also reminded the newly elevated SANs to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned them against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment, stressing that violations could attract sanctions.
Full list of the 67 new SANs
Notably, of the appointees, 67 comprised of advocates and while one is an academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. The 67 advocates, are however listed below according to their seniority at the Bar:
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
- Godwill Achibong Umoh
- Sunday Samuel Obende
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
- Philemeon Audu Daffi
- Adenrele David Adegborioye
- James Eromosele Agbonhese
- Alexander Nduka Muoka
- Onome Okodiya
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
- Ikhide Ehighelua
- Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
- Odion Peter Odia
- Gbemiga Adaramola
- Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
- Bimbo Felix Atilola
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
- Olujoke Enitan Aliu
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
- Faruk Abdullah
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia
- Somina Peter Johnbull
- Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
- Junaidu Bello Marshall
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
- Agba Eimunjeze
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
- Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle
- Umaru Yunusa
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
- Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
- Kayode Orire Omosehin
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
- Bolu Agbaje Akadri
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
- Afees Hassan Adebayo
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde
- Olajide Salami
The annual Legal Year ceremony brings together members of the judiciary and the legal profession to mark the beginning of a new judicial year and recognise achievements within Nigeria’s justice system.
