CJN Swears In 68 New Senior Advocates of Nigeria

ABUJA — The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday swore in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.

The ceremony, held at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, formally admitted the newly elevated practitioners into the prestigious rank, one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession.

The new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, whose elevation recognises contributions to legal scholarship. Their appointments followed the approval of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja on July 23, 2026.

The elevation process followed an assessment of candidates seeking the rank, which recognises distinction in legal practice and contributions to the development of law. The successful candidates were selected from a pool of 89 shortlisted applicants, comprising 77 advocates and 12 academics.

The conferment of the rank places the recipients among the senior members of the Nigerian Bar, with expectations that they will uphold professional ethics, demonstrate excellence in advocacy and contribute to strengthening the administration of justice.

Prominent Practitioners Among Recipients

The list of the newly elevated advocates includes practitioners from different areas of legal practice, public service and professional leadership.

Among the recipients are Kwara State Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim; former Nigerian Bar Association spokesman, Akorede Habeeb Lawal; and former NBA Lagos Branch chairman, Alexander Nduka Muoka.

Other recipients include 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 and Philemeon Audu Daffi.

The list also features Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Somina Peter Johnbull, Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja and Olajide Salami.

The inclusion of Professor Obiaraeri as the sole academic among the 68 recipients highlights the place of legal research and scholarship in the conferment of the rank, alongside the achievements of courtroom practitioners.

LPPC Warns Against Breach of Professional Rules

Before the swearing-in, the LPPC directed successful candidates to comply with the requirements governing the conferment of the SAN rank, including participation in the prescribed induction programme.

The committee also reminded recipients of the restrictions on publicity surrounding their nomination and elevation, citing paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.

Under the applicable provisions, lawyers are restricted from publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages and goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment. The committee warned that breaches could attract professional sanctions.

The restrictions are intended to preserve the dignity associated with the rank and ensure that its conferment remains governed by professional standards rather than publicity.

Expectations For the New Senior Advocates

The SAN rank carries significant professional responsibilities, including the obligation to maintain high standards of conduct, respect the authority of the courts and contribute to the development of Nigerian jurisprudence.

As senior members of the Bar, the newly elevated practitioners are also expected to provide guidance to younger lawyers, promote ethical advocacy and support efforts to improve public confidence in the justice system.

Their elevation comes at a time when the judiciary continues to face demands for timely adjudication, improved access to justice and stronger public trust in judicial institutions.

The commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year provides an opportunity for members of the judiciary and the wider legal community to reflect on these challenges and the reforms required to address them.

With the swearing-in completed, the 68 recipients formally assume their new status, joining the ranks of Senior Advocates of Nigeria at a time when the legal profession is expected to play a critical role in defending the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions.

The names of the 67 advocates, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, are:

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 Adetoboye

49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim

50. Agba Eimunjeze

51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande

52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi

53. Olamide Moigbotoluwa 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

68(the sole academic recipient is) Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.