NIGERIA: Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at the 2026/2027 Legal Year ceremony.
The new recipients comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, who was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) announced the development in a news flash on its official X handle on Monday, sharing videos and photographs from the ceremony, reports Nigerian Tribune.
The swearing-in follows the approval of the 68 nominees by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) about three months ago.
The committee approved their elevation during its 174th plenary session, chaired by Kekere-Ekun.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, the list comprises 67 practising advocates and Obiaraeri, the only academic among the recipients.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest professional distinctions in the country’s legal profession. It is conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction in courtroom advocacy or made significant contributions to the development of law through academic work.
Before the conferment, the LPPC stipulated that all successful applicants must participate in and complete a mandatory induction programme. The committee said the date for the programme would be communicated to the recipients.
The committee also reminded the newly elevated practitioners to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned them against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment, stressing that violations could attract sanctions.
FULL LIST OF THE 68 NEW SANs
The following are the names of the 67 advocates, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, and the successful academic applicant.
Advocate appointees
1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
3. Godwill Achibong Umoh
4. Sunday Samuel Obende
5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
7. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
8. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
9. Philemeon Audu Daffi
10. Adenrele David Adegborioye
11. James Eromosele Agbonhese
12. Alexander Nduka Muoka
13. Onome Okodiya
14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
15. Ikhide Ehighelua
16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
19. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
20. Odion Peter Odia
21. Gbemiga Adaramola
22. Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
23. Charles Azubuike Obodozie
24. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
25. Bimbo Felix Atilola
26. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
27. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
28. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
29. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
30. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
31. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
32. Olujoke Enitan Aliu
33. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
34. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
35. Faruk Abdullah
36. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
37. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
38. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
39. Sabiu Gumba Adamu
40. Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
41. Soibi Ideriah Ovia
42. Somina Peter Johnbull
43. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
44. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
45. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
46. Junaidu Bello Marshall
47. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
48. Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye
49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
50. Agba Eimunjeze
51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
53. Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Adekunle
54. Umaru Yunusa
55. Akorede Habeeb Lawal
56. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
57. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
58. Kayode Orire Omosehin
59. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
60. Bolu Agbaje Akadri
61. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
62. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
63. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
64. Afees Hassan Adebayo
65. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
66. Jonathan Akintola Makinde
67. Olajide Salami
Academic appointee
68. Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
The list was released by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee following its 174th plenary session in July 2026.
