The Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee (LPPC) has released the list of 89 candidates shortlisted for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for 2026. The list comprises 77 advocates and 12 academics, as announced by LPPC Secretary Kabir Akanbi, who also serves as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Selection Process and Categories
The shortlisted candidates are grouped into advocacy and academic categories. They successfully passed various stages of the conferment process, including the advocates' first and second filtration stages, academic pre-qualification, academic first attrition exercise, independent appeals hearing, and chambers inspection exercise. The publication of names precedes the final interview stage.
The LPPC cautioned that inclusion on the shortlist does not indicate a successful application. Akanbi stated: "For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted Applicants is not an indication of a successful application." The committee invited the general public to comment on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the shortlisted candidates.
Full List of Shortlisted Candidates
Advocates (77 candidates):
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
- Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
- Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
- Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq.
- Adenrele David Adegboriye, Esq.
- James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
- Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
- Onome Okodiya, Esq.
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
- Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
- Mas'ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
- Humprey Ehi Uwaifo, Esq.
- Akugbe Jonathan Osayande, Esq.
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
- Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
- Olaide Bamidele Akinseye-George, Esq.
- Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
- Moses Okoh Oyilokwu, Esq.
- Abiodun Ebenezer Dada, Esq.
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
- Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
- Israel Ikechukwu Alobu, Esq.
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
- Adebayo Olanrewaju Omole, Esq.
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
- Olujumoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
- Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
- Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Esq.
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
- Somina Peter Johnbuhl, Esq.
- Chinedum Ikenna Umechie, Esq.
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
- Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Esq.
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
- Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedyin Adeniyi, Esq.
- Olamide Mujigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
- Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
- Ninaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
- Kayode Orire Omoshehin, Esq.
- Akponimisingha Osuobeni Ekoi, Esq.
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
- Bolu Agbaje Akadiri, Esq.
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajila, Esq.
- Adetokunbo Oluwasanmi Davies, Esq.
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
- Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
- Obinna Gerald Onya, Esq.
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
- Olajide Salami, Esq.
Academics (12 candidates):
- Prof. John Alewo Musa Agbonika
- Prof. Najeem Adeyemi Ijaiya
- Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareeri
- Prof. Nathaniel Ahabue Inegbedion
- Prof. Akkarren Samuel Shaakaa
- Prof. Olusesan Ujaid Oliyide
- Prof. Violet Omon Aigbokhaevbo
- Prof. Emmanuel Ayangarumun Kenen
- Prof. Collins Odioma Chijioke
- Prof. Ahmed Rabiu
- Prof. Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir
- Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola
Previous SAN Appointments and Application Process
In 2025, 57 lawyers were elevated to the SAN rank, including 56 advocates and one academic, approved at the LPPC's 169th plenary session chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The list featured state attorneys general and two female lawyers, with a swearing-in ceremony held on September 29, 2025.
Eligible Nigerian lawyers are advised to begin their application process for the SAN title, which requires a non-refundable fee of N1 million, as stated by the LPPC on January 3, 2023.
