…as Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri emerges as the sole academic among 68 new SANs.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.
The ceremony took place on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, formally admitting the recipients into one of the highest professional ranks in Nigeria’s legal profession.
The newly elevated recipients comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, who was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship.
Their elevation followed the approval of their applications by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held on July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of Justice Kekere-Ekun.
The SAN rank recognises legal practitioners who have demonstrated distinction in courtroom advocacy or made significant contributions to legal scholarship and the development of the legal profession.
FULL LIST OF THE 68 NEW SANs
The following are the 67 advocate recipients, listed in order of seniority at the Bar:
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 Alius
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 Adetosoye
49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
50. Agba Eimunjeze
51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
53. Olamide Mojigbotoluwa 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
Academic Recipient
68. Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
LPPC WARNS AGAINST CONGRATULATORY PUBLICITY
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, the LPPC reminded the successful candidates of the professional rules governing publicity surrounding their nomination and conferment.
The committee directed the recipients to comply with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, which prohibit the publication or encouragement of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages and notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
It warned that violations could attract sanctions under the applicable professional and ethical rules.
The formal admission of the 68 recipients into the Inner Bar marks a significant milestone in their careers and places on them the responsibility to uphold professional integrity, maintain high standards of advocacy and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s legal system.
