KEKERE-EKUN SWEARS IN 68 NEW SANs AS LEGAL YEAR BEGINS

 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday formally admitted 68 legal practitioners into the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

The swearing-in ceremony, held on October 12, 2026, formed part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year. The new Senior Advocates comprise 67 practising lawyers and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, whose elevation recognises his contribution to legal scholarship.

Their admission followed the approval of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held on July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The SAN rank is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria's legal system. It recognises exceptional professional ability and distinction in advocacy or significant contributions to legal education and research. Admission into the Inner Bar also carries increased responsibility for upholding professional ethics and strengthening the administration of justice.

The LPPC had required the successful candidates to complete a compulsory pre-swearing-in induction programme. It also warned against advertisements, congratulatory messages and goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment, cautioning that breaches of the applicable professional guidelines could attract sanctions.

The 67 advocate appointees, listed according to seniority at the Bar, 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 Alius

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 Adetosoye

Senior Sulyman Ibrahim

Agba Eimunjeze

Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande

Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi

Olamide Mojigbotoluwa 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

The sole academic appointee is Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

The annual conferment ceremony remains a major event in Nigeria's legal calendar, recognising professional excellence while reinforcing the responsibility of senior practitioners to uphold the rule of law, maintain ethical standards and contribute to the development of the country's justice system.