Judiciary
Kekere-Ekun Elevates 67 Advocates, One Academic to SAN Status
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at the 2026/2027 Legal Year ceremony.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) announced the development in a news flash on its official X handle on Monday, sharing images and a video of the ceremony.
The swearing-in followed the approval of the 68 nominees by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) about three months earlier.
The committee approved their elevation at its 174th plenary session, chaired by Kekere-Ekun.
Among those sworn in was a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Barr. Eric Omare.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, Kabir Eniola, the new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, Tribune reported.
Obiaraeri was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship, making him the only academic among the recipients.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest professional distinctions in the country’s legal profession.
It is conferred on practitioners who meet established standards of professional excellence in advocacy or legal scholarship.
Before the conferment, the LPPC directed successful applicants to participate in a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced later.
The committee also reminded the newly elevated SANs to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It cautioned them against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment, warning that violations could attract sanctions.
The 67 Senior Advocates Sworn In 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