The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday swore in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) during the ceremony marking the 2026/2027 Legal Year. The elevations were approved by the Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July 2026.
Composition of the New SANs
The new appointees comprise 67 advocates and one academic, with the recognitions covering contributions to both legal practice and scholarship. The only academic on the list is Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, whose elevation reflects the committee's recognition of distinguished contributions to legal scholarship alongside those made in courtroom practice.
The SAN rank is the highest honour awarded to legal practitioners in Nigeria, signifying exceptional skill, experience, and service to the legal profession. The ceremony at the start of each new legal year serves as the formal occasion for conferring the rank on newly approved recipients.
Full List of the 67 New Senior Advocates
The names of the 67 advocates, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, 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
- 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
Significance and Impact
The swearing-in ceremony marks the formal beginning of the 2026/2027 Legal Year, with the new SANs expected to take on more prominent roles in legal practice and scholarship across Nigeria. The elevation of 68 practitioners, including one academic, underscores the Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee's commitment to recognising excellence in both advocacy and academia.
