68 Lawyers Elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria
The Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee (LPPC) has announced the elevation of 68 legal practitioners to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The decision was reached during the committee's 174th plenary session held on Thursday, July 23, in Abuja, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Kabir Akan, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, confirmed the development in an official statement released on the same day. The list of new SANs was published in order of seniority at the Bar, reflecting the length and standing of each lawyer's career.
What the SAN Rank Represents
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest honour conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria. It is reserved for lawyers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional advocacy, legal scholarship, or contributions to the development of the law. The LPPC is responsible for vetting and approving such appointments and meets periodically to consider eligible candidates.
The elevation of 68 lawyers in a single plenary session marks a significant addition to the body of SANs currently recognised at the Nigerian Bar. The new silk holders join a community of senior legal minds whose status carries considerable weight in Nigerian courts, particularly the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Full List of New SANs
The following lawyers were elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria:
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
- Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
- Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
- Philemeon Audu Daffi, Esq.
- Adenrele David Adegborioye, Esq.
- James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
- Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
- Onome Okodiya, Esq.
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
- Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
- Mas'ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
- Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
- Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
- Moses Okoh Onyilokwu, Esq.
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
- Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
- Olujoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
- Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
- Somina Peter Johnbull, Esq.
- Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Esq.
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
- Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye, Esq.
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
- Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Esq.
- Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
- Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
- Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
- Kayode Orire Omosehin, Esq.
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
- Bolu Agbaje Akadri, Esq.
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Esq.
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
- Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
- Olajide Salami, Esq.
Academic Category
In addition to the legal practitioners, one academic was also elevated: Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
The elevation places the newly appointed Senior Advocates among the highest-ranking legal practitioners in Nigeria, recognising their contributions to legal practice and scholarship.
