Nigeria’s legal community expanded its top tier on Monday as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, officially inducted 68 legal practitioners into the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), while cautioning that the honor requires unyielding ethical discipline.
The conferment occurred during a special Supreme Court session in Abuja inaugurating the 2026/2027 judicial calendar. Comprising 67 practicing advocates and one legal academic, the cohort stepped into one of the most distinguished circles of the nation’s legal landscape.
Delivering her charge, Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that donning the silk gown confers heightened obligations rather than immunity from oversight. She reminded the inductees that the honor demands modesty, upright behavior, and an steadfast dedication to fair play, urging them to serve as upright mentors for emerging practitioners rather than treating the rank as mere personal glory.
To highlight her point, the Chief Justice referenced punitive measures recently meted out to senior counsel over the previous legal year. She noted that these sanctions should remind all practitioners that professional renown will never shield anyone from standard regulatory enforcement.
The successful candidates secured their elevation following approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) during its 174th general meeting on July 23, 2026, which was presided over by the CJN. Prior to taking the oath, all candidates were required to undergo an orientation course and observe strict bans against self-promoting congratulatory announcements and promotional public notices.
The 67 practicing advocates admitted to the rank, ordered by seniority, include: 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, and Olajide Salami.
Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri was admitted under the academic category.
The Chief Justice concluded with an unmistakable directive: while the title bestows rare professional acclaim, only continuous integrity, exemplary conduct, and faithful service to the rule of law can truly validate their elevation.
