The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), including 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the conferment took place on Monday during a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) approved the elevation of the 68 recipients at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja on July 23, 2026.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest professional distinctions in the country’s legal profession, recognising outstanding contributions to legal practice and scholarship.
Obiaraeri, a professor of law, is the only academic among the newly elevated recipients, while the remaining 67 are legal practitioners.
Full list of 67 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria
The advocates, arranged 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
TNG reports the 68th recipient is Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, the sole academic elevated to the prestigious rank.
CJN cautions new SANs on professional conduct
Before the conferment, the LPPC had directed successful applicants to participate in and complete a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced by the committee.
The committee also reminded the newly elevated practitioners of the need to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It specifically warned against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages and goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
The committee cautioned that violations of the applicable rules could attract sanctions.
The new SANs are expected to uphold the professional standards associated with the rank and contribute to strengthening the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The new SANs are expected to uphold the professional standards associated with the distinction and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s legal system.
