LPPC Confers SAN Rank on 68 Lawyers, Sets October 12 for Swearing-In

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 68 legal practitioners.

The decision was reached at the committee’s 174th plenary session held on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The Secretary of the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, the conferment of the SAN rank recognises legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional professional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics whose contributions have advanced legal scholarship.

The committee said the conferment is intended to honour outstanding members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves through professional excellence and significant contributions to the development of law.

The LPPC said all shortlisted applicants approved for the conferment of the SAN rank are required to attend and successfully complete a pre-swearing-in induction programme.

The committee described participation in the programme as a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.

It added that the date for the induction programme would be communicated in due course.

The requirement, according to the LPPC, is in accordance with directives issued by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN).

The committee's statement further reminded the successful applicants of restrictions governing publicity surrounding their nomination and conferment.

It said that, in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, all shortlisted conferees are required to refrain from publishing or encouraging the publication of advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment.

The LPPC warned that any breach of the provisions could attract sanctions for violations of applicable statutory or ethical rules.

The formal swearing-in ceremony for the 68 successful applicants has been scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026.

The conferment will formally elevate the successful lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, one of the highest professional distinctions available to legal practitioners in the country.

Among those listed as successful applicants are Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Goodwill Achibong Umoh, Sunday Samuel Obende, Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Jimson Ejovi Okodaso and Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John.

Others include Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Philemon Audu Daffi, Adenrele David Adegborioye, James Eromosele Agbonhese, Alexander Nduka Muoka, Onome Okodiya, Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye and Ikhide Ekhighelua.

The latest conferment adds another group of distinguished practitioners to the ranks of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, a professional distinction that recognises outstanding achievement in legal practice and scholarship.

The LPPC said the successful applicants must comply with all prescribed requirements, including the mandatory induction programme, before the rank is formally conferred at the October swearing-in ceremony.