-
CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has sworn in 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, formally admitting them into the country’s Inner Bar.
-
The 2026 SAN class comprises 67 advocates and one academic, *Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareri.
-
Their elevation followed approval by the LPPC at its 174th plenary session and completion of a mandatory pre-conferment induction programme.
-
The LPPC warned the new SANs against prohibited advertisements and congratulatory publicity, saying breaches could attract disciplinary sanctions.
October 12, (THEWILL) – The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday swore in 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), formally admitting them into the country’s legal elite with a charge to uphold the professional and ethical standards that come with membership of the Inner Bar.
The new silks were inaugurated at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.
Their formal admission followed their approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held on July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of the CJN.
Of the 68 practitioners elevated, 67 qualified under the advocacy category, while Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareri was the sole recipient under the academic category, recognised for his contribution to legal scholarship.
The new SANs are Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Godwill Achibong Umoh, Sunday Samuel Obende, Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Jimson Ejoyi Okodaso, Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Philemon Audu Dafe, 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 and Odion Peter Odia.
Others are 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 Alius, Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Faruk Abdullah, Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Eric Keme-Egolukomor Omare, Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Somina Peter Johnbull, Chinedum Ikenna Umeche and Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe.
Also on the list are Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Junaidu Bello Marshall, Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Agba Eimunjeze, Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Olamide Motololuwa 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.
Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareri, the only academic among the recipients, completes the list.
READ ALSO:
Before Monday’s swearing-in, the LPPC had directed all successful candidates to attend and complete a mandatory pre-swearing-in induction programme, making participation a prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.
The induction was designed to prepare the new members of the Inner Bar for the heightened professional obligations associated with the rank and reinforce the standards expected of senior members of the legal profession.
The LPPC had also drawn the attention of the successful candidates to restrictions governing publicity surrounding their elevation.
It warned them against publishing, sponsoring or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment as SANs.
According to the committee, the restriction is contained in Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023. It warned that breaches could attract disciplinary sanctions.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is reserved for members of the legal profession who have attained distinction in advocacy or made exceptional contributions to legal scholarship.
The LPPC said the 2026 recipients demonstrated professional excellence and exceptional distinction either through advocacy before the courts or contribution to the development of legal scholarship.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
