The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), formally admitting them into the Inner Bar at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The swearing-in, which formed part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year, saw 67 advocates and one academic receive the prestigious rank in recognition of their contributions to legal practice and scholarship.
Addressing the newly elevated Senior Advocates, the CJN emphasised the responsibilities associated with the rank, urging them to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, integrity and service to the administration of justice.
Their elevation followed the approval of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held on July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of Justice Kekere-Ekun.
Among those elevated are former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch, Alexander Nduka Muoka; former NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal; and Kwara State Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim.
Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri emerged as the sole successful applicant under the academic category.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction in courtroom advocacy or made significant contributions to legal scholarship. Beyond the professional recognition it brings, the rank places additional responsibilities on recipients to uphold the dignity of the legal profession and promote the administration of justice.
The swearing-in marks the culmination of the 2026 selection exercise, which involved screening, assessment and a mandatory pre-swearing-in induction programme.
The 68 newly sworn-in Senior Advocates are listed below, with the 67 advocates arranged in order of seniority at the Bar
Full List of the 68 Newly Sworn-In Senior Advocates of Nigeria
Advocate Category — 67 Recipients
- 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 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
Academic Category — One Recipient
68. Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
The full list reflects the names published by major Nigerian news outlets following the LPPC’s announcement and the swearing-in ceremony. Some published versions contain minor spelling differences, which should be checked against the original LPPC list before final publication.
The admission of the 68 practitioners into the Inner Bar represents a significant milestone in their professional careers and reinforces the expectation that holders of the rank will continue to demonstrate excellence, ethical leadership and commitment to the rule of law.
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/legalnigeria
You must be logged in to post a comment.