From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has elevated 57 lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
A statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Eniola Akanbi, said the list was approved by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the LPPC’s 169th Plenary Session held on Thursday.
The list comprises of 56 advocates and 1 from the academia.
Among those elevated is the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Shuaib Labaran, and Osun State Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada. Also elevated to the prestigious rank is David Ogenyi Ogebe, the son of a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice James Ogebe, as well as Professor Chima Ubanyionwu, who is the only successful candidate from the academia.
According to the Chief Registrar, the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is conferred as a mark of professional excellence upon legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the Courts or as academics, contributing significantly to the development of legal scholarship.
Akanbi noted that during the session, the Committee also considered three (3) petitions submitted against certain applicants, and upon thorough review, each petition was found to be lacking in merit and was accordingly dismissed.
He further stated that in accordance with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), all shortlisted prospective Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferees are required to attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme and participation is a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the SAN rank.
Meanwhile, the conferees have been warned that in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the provisions of Rule 393 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, they are prohibited from publishing advertisement, congratulatory messages, or goodwill notices related to their nomination or conferment, as any breach of these provisions may attract sanctions for violations of statutory or ethical rules as expressly stated.
The swearing-in ceremony for the 57 successful applicants is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The list of the new SANs in order of seniority are Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Fedude Zimughan, Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji, Victor Esiri Akpoguma, Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, AKintunde Wilson Adewale, Preye Agedah, Omamuzo Erebe, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Olumide Ekisola, George Ejie Ukaegbu and Oromena Justice Ajakpovi.
Others include Tairu Adebayo, Bawa Akhime Osali Ibrahim, Suleh Umar, Emeka Akabogu, Godwin Sunday Ogbosi, Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya, Adeolu Olusegun Salako, Adetunji Oso, Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Adizua Chuchu Okoroafor, Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola, Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi, Adakole Edwin Inegedu, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, David Ogenyi Ogebe, Aminu Sani Gadanya, Oluseun Awonuga Adeniyi, Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, Ayodeji Joseph Ademola, Kelechi Nwaiwu, Lawal Garba Hudu, Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa, Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi, Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada and Mubarak Tuani Adekilekun.
The rest are Chinyere Ekene Moneme, Shuaib Magaji Labaran, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Augustine Enenche Audu, Ali Dussah Zubairu, Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan, Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, Victor Agunzi, Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu, Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello, Temilolu Femi Adamolekun, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina, Usman Yusuf Zaiyanu, Taiwo Azeez Hassan and Olufemi Olubunmi Oyewole.
