The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has approved the elevation of 68 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The decision was reached at the 174th Plenary Session of the Committee held in Abuja on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the highest distinction in Nigeria’s legal profession, is conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics who have made significant contributions to legal scholarship.
Announcing the outcome of the plenary, the LPPC stated that all the successful applicants are required to participate in the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, in compliance with the directive of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN).
According to the Committee, successful completion of the induction programme is a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the prestigious rank.
The date for the induction programme, it added, will be communicated in due course.
The Committee also reminded the successful applicants of their ethical obligations under Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned that all shortlisted SAN conferees must refrain from publishing, sponsoring, or encouraging the publication of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages, or other celebratory notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
The LPPC cautioned that any violation of the applicable statutory or ethical provisions could attract sanctions in accordance with the relevant guidelines and professional rules.
The Committee further announced that the Swearing-In Ceremony for the 68 successful applicants has been scheduled for Monday, 12 October 2026, when they will be formally conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The LPPC also released the official list of the 68 legal practitioners approved for the 2026 SAN conferment exercise.
The newly elevated Senior Advocates are expected to join the ranks of Nigeria’s most distinguished legal practitioners upon their formal swearing-in in October.
The 67 successful advocate appointees, listed in order of seniority at the Bar, include Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu; Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor; Godwill Achibong Umoh; Sunday Samuel Obende; Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe; Jimson Ejoyi Okodaso; Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John; Olaotan Thomas Olusegun; Philemon Audu Dafe; 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; and Odion Peter Odia.
Others are 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 Alius; Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie; Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi; Faruk Abdullah; Sagir Gezawa Suleiman; Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko; Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe; Sabiu Gumba Adamu; Eric Keme-Egolukomor 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; and Agba Eimunjeze.
The remaining advocate appointees are Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande; Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi; Olamide Motololuwa 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.
Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareri was named as the sole successful academic applicant for the 2026 conferment exercise.
Source – BarristerNG.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
