Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on a former President of the Ijaw Youths Council, Mr Eric Omare and 67 other legal practitioners following the conclusion of its 2026 selection exercise.
The approvals were made during the committee’s 174th Plenary Session held on Thursday in Abuja under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, the successful candidates comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
The LPPC described the SAN rank as the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in advocacy or made outstanding contributions to legal scholarship.
The committee fixed October 12, 2026, for the swearing-in ceremony of the successful applicants.
It also stated that all successful candidates must participate in and successfully complete the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme organised in line with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
It added that attendance is a condition for the formal conferment of the rank. The date for the programme is yet to be announced.
The LPPC further reminded the successful applicants that they are prohibited from publishing or encouraging the publication of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages or notices relating to their nomination or conferment.
According to the committee, the restriction is in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned that any breach of the provisions could attract sanctions.
The advocates elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria are 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 Alwus, 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 and Olajide Salami.
The sole academic elevated in the 2026 exercise is Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
