Kunle Adelabu
-Ikorodu born Yinka Ajenifuja made list
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 body chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, made the decision at its 174th Plenary Session of the Committee held on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
The Swearing-In Ceremony for the 68 successful applicants is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026.
Recall that 89 candidates were shortlisted for the elevation who are grouped into the advocacy and academic categories. While 77 advocates were shortlisted, only 12 were picked from academic category.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the highest distinction in Nigeria’s legal profession, is conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics who have made significant contributions to legal scholarship.
Announcing the outcome of the plenary, the LPPC stated that all the successful applicants are required to participate in the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, in compliance with the directive of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN).
The Committee also reminded the successful applicants of their ethical obligations under Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned that all shortlisted SAN conferees must refrain from publishing, sponsoring, or encouraging the publication of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages, or other celebratory notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
The 67 successful advocate appointees, listed in order of seniority at the Bar, include Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu; Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor; Godwill Achibong Umoh; Sunday Samuel Obende; Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe; Jimson Ejoyi Okodaso; Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John; Olaotan Thomas Olusegun; Philemon Audu Dafe; 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.
Others are 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 Alius; Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie; Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi; Faruk Abdullah; Sagir Gezawa Suleiman; Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko; Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe; Sabiu Gumba Adamu; Eric Keme-Egolukomor 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; and Agba Eimunjeze.
The remaining advocate appointees are Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande; Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi; Olamide Motololuwa 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 Obiareri was named as the sole successful academic applicant for the 2026 conferment exercise.
