The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has elevated 87 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the LPPC’s 164th plenary session, held on Thursday.
This elevation is a significant honour in the Nigerian legal profession, awarded to distinguished lawyers who have shown exceptional skill and dedication, both as advocates and academics.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Sarki Bello, made the announcement, emphasising the high standards met by the new appointees.
“The rank of SAN is not just a title; it is a mark of excellence, a recognition of outstanding contributions to the legal field,” said Bello.
“These 87 individuals have demonstrated remarkable expertise and dedication, making them worthy of this prestigious honour.”
He added that the LPPC reviewed five petitions against some of the applicants, but found them lacking in merit and subsequently dismissed them.
“The Committee thoroughly investigated these petitions and determined that they did not substantiate any claims that would disqualify the applicants,” Bello explained.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new SANs is scheduled for Monday, 30 September 2024.
The list of honourees includes 86 advocates and one academic. Among the advocate appointees, listed in order of seniority at the bar, are:
- Lateef Olaseinde Karim
- Godwin Tagbo Ike
- Johnson Odionu
- Nnodim Marcellinus Duru
- Innocent Adams Ovbagbedia
- Soronnadi Anthony Njoku
- Adamu Abubakar
- Charles Oyaole Musa
- Udochi Nunny Iheanacho
- David Dare Onietan
- Elele Chinatu Casmir
- Josiah Rapuluchuks Nduka
- Godwin Ikechukwu Obeta
- Habeeb Orisavia Ilavbare
- Moses Kolade Obafemi
- Mathew Echezonam Esonanjor
- Baba Fika Dalah
- Babatunde Ademoye Sodipo
- Mustapha Ikhegbe Abubakar
- Emmanuel Ibhagbemien Esene
- Henry Adedayo Bello
- Boniface Chinedu Moore
- Clement Amechi Ezika
- Omokayode Adebayo Dada
- Edwin Anikwem
- Roy Ogbonnaya Umahi Nwaeze
- Olumide Oniyire Olugbenga
- Monday Onyekachi Ubani
- Ayoola Olufemi Ajayi
- Paul Chukwuma Obi
- Olasupo Dominic Ati-John
- Cole Segun Ololade
- Charles Ayodeji Adeogun-Phillips
- Okechukwu Kingsley Ajunwa
- Jacob Ocheogbu Ifere
- Emmanuel Aderemi Adekile
- Christopher Ehumadu Okeke
- Oluronke Adeyemi
- Oluwole Olawale Afolabi
- Toboukebide Kekemeke
- Akinbamigbe Adesomoju
- Victor Owarienomare Odjemu
- Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune
- Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun
- Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim
- Stanley Chidozie Imo
- Charles Oladipo Titiloye
- Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar
- Kingsley Chuku
- Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi
- Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi
- Adedeji Sharafadeen Abdulkadir
- Idowu Omotunde Benson
- Kolawole James Olowookere
- Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam
- Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan
- Omosanya Atilola Popoola
- Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide
- Emonye Oga Adekwu
- Aderemi Oguntoye
- Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun
- Abdul Adamu
- Theodore Okey Ezeobi
- Rilwan Birnin Kebbi Umar
- Chienye Ifeanyichukwu Okafor
- Kaka Shehu Lawan
- Abba Muhammed
- Wendy Nwenenda Kuku
- Ekele Enyinnaya Iheanacho
- Okechukwu George Edeze
- Akinyemi Oluwole Olujinmi
- Gyang Yaya Zi
- Idris Abubakar
- George Ibrahim
- Boonyameen Babajide Lawal
- Terkaa Jeremiah Aondo
- Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu
- Uchenna Uzo Njoku
- Paul Babatunde Daudu
- Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli
- Yusuf F. Olatunji Ogunrinde
- Tobechukwu Kenechukwu Nweke
- Ademola Kamardeen Abimbola
- Yunus Abdulsalam
- Mofesomo Ayodeji Tayo-Oyetibo
- Chukwuemeka Agamadodaigwe Nnawuchi
The successful academic applicant is Prof. Ganiu Oke Adeyemi.
The elevation to the rank of SAN is a monumental achievement that not only highlights the individual excellence of these practitioners but also strengthens the entire legal profession in Nigeria.
As new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, these lawyers are expected to uphold the highest standards of the profession, serving as role models for their peers and the younger generation.