JUST IN: CJN swears in 68 new SANs

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 Nigerian Television Authority announced the development in a news flash on its official X handle on Monday, sharing a video and images from the ceremony.

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.

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According to a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola, the new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

Obiaraeri was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship, making him the only academic among the 68 recipients.

The SAN rank is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal sector. It is awarded to legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in courtroom advocacy or made significant contributions to the development of law through academic work.

Before the conferment, the LPPC had stipulated that all successful applicants must participate in and complete a mandatory induction programme. The committee said the date for the programme would be announced later.

The committee also reminded the newly elevated practitioners to adhere to paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.

It warned the recipients against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices concerning their nomination or conferment, adding that violations could attract sanctions.