CJN Swears In 68 New SANs as Nigeria Welcomes New Senior Advocates
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) during the ceremony marking the 2026/2027 Legal Year.
The swearing-in took place on Monday, October 12, 2026, with the recipients comprising 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. The elevation recognises their contributions to legal practice and scholarship, according to the report.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee had approved the appointments during its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July. The newly elevated advocates were listed according to their seniority at the Bar.
The 67 advocates 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 and James Eromosele Agbonhese.
Others are 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 and Moses Okoh Onyilokwu.
The list also includes 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 Aliu and Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie.
Also elevated were 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 and Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe.
The remaining recipients are Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Junaidu Bello Marshall, Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Agba Eimunjeze, Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle, Umaru Yunusa, Akorede Habeeb Lawal and Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba.
The list is completed by 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 Obiaraeri was the sole academic recipient among the 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria.