The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 68 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) under the 2026 conferment exercise.
The successful candidates comprise 67 advocates and one academic, with Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri emerging as the sole academic recipient of the coveted rank.
The decision was reached during the 174th Plenary Session of the LPPC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Announcing the outcome in a statement, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, said the rank was conferred in recognition of exceptional professional excellence and distinguished contributions to the legal profession through advocacy and legal scholarship.
According to the committee, all successful applicants are required to participate in and successfully complete the mandatory pre-swearing-in induction programme organised by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) before they can formally assume the rank. The date for the induction programme is expected to be announced later.
The LPPC also cautioned the newly elevated legal practitioners against publishing or sponsoring congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages, or public notices relating to their conferment.
The committee noted that the directive is in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, warning that violations could attract disciplinary sanctions.
The committee further disclosed that the swearing-in ceremony for the successful applicants will hold on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Professor Obiaraeri’s elevation as the only successful academic applicant highlights the continued recognition of outstanding contributions to legal scholarship within Nigeria’s legal profession.
List of Newly Elevated Senior Advocates of Nigeria
The 67 successful advocates 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; and Olajide Salami.
The SAN rank remains the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria, reserved for lawyers and academics who have demonstrated exceptional competence, integrity and contributions to the development of the legal profession.
