The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 68 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest professional distinction for advocates in the country.
The decision was reached at the committee’s 174th plenary session held on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the LPPC said the rank was conferred on the successful applicants in recognition of their outstanding contributions to legal practice and scholarship.
According to the committee, the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is reserved for legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as courtroom advocates or as academics who have made significant contributions to the development of legal scholarship.
The committee directed all successful applicants to participate in the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, describing it as a prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.
It stated that the date for the induction programme would be communicated to the new SAN-designates in due course.
The LPPC also warned the successful applicants against publishing or encouraging the publication of congratulatory messages, advertisements or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
It said the directive was in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
The committee cautioned that any violation of the provisions could attract sanctions for breaches of statutory and ethical rules.
“The Swearing-In Ceremony for the 68 successful applicants is scheduled to hold on Monday, October 12, 2026,” the statement added.
Among those elevated 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, and Odion Peter Odia, alongside dozens of other successful applicants listed by the LPPC.
