67 legal practitioners and one academic attain Nigeria’s highest legal distinction as Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee concludes rigorous 2026 SAN selection exercise.
By A1NEWS International Judiciary Correspondent
ABUJA, Nigeria — July 24, 2026
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, has approved the elevation of 68 distinguished legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), one of the highest professional honours in the country’s legal profession.
The decision was reached during the committee’s 174th Plenary Session, held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, marking the culmination of the rigorous annual selection process designed to recognise outstanding advocacy, professional integrity, legal scholarship and contributions to the development of the justice system.
The newly elevated class comprises 67 advocates drawn from legal practice across the country and one academic, reflecting the LPPC’s continued recognition of excellence in both legal advocacy and legal education.
The list also includes four female legal practitioners, underscoring the growing, though still limited, representation of women among holders of Nigeria’s most prestigious legal title.
SAN Rank Remains Nigeria’s Highest Professional Honour for Lawyers
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred on legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves through exceptional advocacy before superior courts, impeccable professional ethics, significant contributions to jurisprudence and sustained service to the legal profession.
Often regarded as Nigeria’s equivalent of the King’s Counsel (KC) in the United Kingdom, the SAN title carries immense professional prestige and frequently places recipients among the country’s leading constitutional, commercial, criminal and public interest lawyers.
Elevation to the rank follows an extensive screening process involving the assessment of courtroom performance, reported cases, legal publications, integrity records, tax compliance, professional conduct and recommendations from judges, senior lawyers and other stakeholders.
Committee Chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria
The 2026 exercise was presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who chairs the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.
The LPPC comprises senior judicial officers, experienced legal practitioners and representatives of key institutions responsible for maintaining standards within Nigeria’s legal profession.
The committee is entrusted with safeguarding the credibility and prestige associated with the SAN title by ensuring that only lawyers who satisfy stringent eligibility requirements are admitted into the elite rank.
Advocates Dominate 2026 Elevation
According to the committee’s decision, the successful candidates consist of:
- 67 Advocates
- One Academic
The inclusion of an academic candidate reflects the LPPC’s recognition that significant contributions to legal research, scholarship, teaching and jurisprudential development are equally deserving of national recognition.
Women Continue to Break Barriers
Among the successful candidates are four women, highlighting the continued progress of female legal practitioners within Nigeria’s traditionally male-dominated legal profession.
Although women remain underrepresented among Senior Advocates, legal observers note that each successive elevation demonstrates increasing recognition of excellence irrespective of gender.
Many stakeholders have continued to advocate broader inclusion while maintaining the rigorous merit-based standards governing SAN appointments.
Rigorous Selection Process
The SAN selection process is widely regarded as one of the most demanding professional evaluation exercises in Nigeria.
Applicants are subjected to extensive scrutiny covering:
- Advocacy before superior courts;
- Professional ethics and disciplinary records;
- Quality of legal practice;
- Number and significance of reported cases;
- Contributions to legal development;
- Tax compliance;
- Integrity and professional reputation;
- Peer and judicial assessments.
Only candidates who satisfy the LPPC’s comprehensive requirements are eventually approved for elevation.
Why the SAN Rank Matters
The conferment of the SAN title represents more than professional recognition.
Recipients are generally regarded as leaders of the Nigerian Bar and are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards while contributing to justice sector reforms, constitutional development and the advancement of the rule of law.
Senior Advocates frequently appear in landmark constitutional, electoral, commercial, criminal and public interest cases that shape Nigerian jurisprudence.
Implications for the Legal Profession
The elevation of a new class of Senior Advocates comes at a period when Nigeria’s legal profession continues to grapple with complex constitutional disputes, electoral litigation, anti-corruption prosecutions, commercial arbitration and judicial reforms.
Legal analysts say expanding the pool of experienced Senior Advocates strengthens the capacity of the Bar to respond to increasingly sophisticated legal challenges while preserving professional excellence.
The inclusion of an academic also reflects growing appreciation for scholarly contributions to legal development beyond courtroom advocacy.
See the full list below:
Advocate Appointees (In Order Of Seniority At The Bar)
1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
3. Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
4. Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
7. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
8. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
9. Philemeon Audu Daffi, Esq.
10. Adenrele David Adegborioye, Esq.
11. James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
12. Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
13. Onome Okodiya, Esq.
14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
15. Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
19. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
20. Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
21. Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
22. Moses Okoh Onyilokwu, Esq.
23. Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
24. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
25. Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
26. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
27. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
28. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
29. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
30. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
31. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
32. Olujoke Enitan Alius, Esq.
33. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
34. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
35. Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
36. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
37. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
38. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
39. Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
40. Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
41. Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
42. Somina Peter Johnbull, Esq.
43. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Esq.
44. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
45. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
46. Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
47. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
48. Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Esq.
49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
50. Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Esq.
53. Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
54. Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
55. Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
56. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
57. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
58. Kayode Orire Omosehin, Esq.
59. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
60. Bolu Agbaje Akadri, Esq.
61. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
62. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Esq.
63. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
64. Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
65. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
66. Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
67. Olajide Salami, Esq.
Successful Academic Applicant
Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
With the approval of 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has once again reinforced the importance of merit, professional integrity and excellence within Nigeria’s legal system.
As the newly elevated Senior Advocates prepare to formally receive the prestigious rank, expectations remain high that they will continue to advance the rule of law, strengthen public confidence in the justice system and contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigerian jurisprudence.
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