The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 68 legal practitioners, marking the conclusion of the 2026 selection exercise conducted under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON.
The successful candidates comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq., was listed as the 63rd successful advocate in the order of seniority at the Bar released by the committee.
The approvals were granted at the LPPC’s 174th Plenary Session held on Thursday in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq., the committee stated that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria remains the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in the country and is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional excellence either in courtroom advocacy or through outstanding contributions to legal scholarship.
The LPPC said all successful applicants must participate in and successfully complete the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme organised in accordance with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), noting that attendance is a prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.
The date for the induction programme, it added, will be announced later.
The committee also reminded the successful applicants that they are prohibited from publishing or encouraging the publication of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages, or notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
According to the LPPC, the restriction is in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned that any violation could attract sanctions for breaching the applicable statutory and ethical provisions.
The committee fixed Monday, October 12, 2026, for the swearing-in ceremony of the 68 successful applicants.
The advocates elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria are: 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, and Onome Okodiya.
Others are 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 Alawus, 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 Adetosoye, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Agba Eimunjeze, Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Olamide Mojigbotoluwa 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, and Olajide Salami.
