THE Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has approved the elevation of 68 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The decision was taken at the committee’s 174th Plenary Session held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The successful candidates include 67 advocates and one academic applicant, Nnamdi Obiareri, a professor.
Among the advocates elevated to the rank are
former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) spokesperson Habeeb Lawal and former NBA Lagos chairman, Alex Mouka.
Others are Adetunji Adedoyin-Adeniyi, Mustapha Ajenifuja, Agba Eimunjeze, Olawale Fapohunda, and Olugbenga Ajala.
The list also includes four women: Soibi Ovia, Igonikon Adekunle, Olujoke Aliu, and Olamide Adekunle.
The successful candidates are required to attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, which the committee said is a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.
The LPPC disclosed that the swearing-in ceremony for the 68 successful applicants is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026.
It also reminded the successful applicants of the restrictions governing publicity ahead of their conferment.
According to the committee, the shortlisted candidates are required to refrain from publishing or encouraging the publication of advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
The LPPC warned that any breach of the relevant provisions of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the Rules of Professional Conduct may attract sanctions.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated professional excellence and exceptional distinction in advocacy or legal scholarship.
The newly elevated advocates include:
Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
Philemeon Audu Daffi, Esq.
Adenrele David Adegborioye, Esq.
James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
Onome Okodiya, Esq.
Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
Moses Okoh Onyilokwu, Esq.
Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
Olujoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.
Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
Somina Peter Johnbull, Esq.
Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Esq.
Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye, Esq.
Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Esq.
Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
Kayode Orire Omosehin, Esq.
Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
Bolu Agbaje Akadri, Esq.
Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Esq.
Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
Olajide Salami, Esq.
Academic Category
The successful academic applicant is:
Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri