The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 68 legal practitioners and one academic to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The decision was reached during the committee’s 174th Plenary Session held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
The SAN designation represents the highest professional honor in the Nigerian legal system, awarded to practitioners who have demonstrated outstanding courtroom advocacy or significant contributions to legal scholarship.
Breakdown of Appointees & Key Names
Out of the 69 total conferees cleared for the 2026 conferment exercise, 67 are advocate-appointees, four are women, and one is an academic:
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Academic Appointee: Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, recognized for exceptional contributions to legal scholarship and education.
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Prominent Advocate Appointees: Notable legal practitioners on the list include Adebayo Adaralegbe, Alexander Nduka Muoka, Adenrele David Adegborioye, Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, and Jimson Ejovi Okodaso.
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Public Office Holders: Kwara State Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, also made the final list following the LPPC’s review of petitions submitted during the screening phase.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 2026 SAN ELEVATION MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Presiding Authority : Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CJN (LPPC Chair) │
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│ • Total Conferees : 69 (68 Advocates + 1 Academic) │
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│ • Mandatory Requirement : Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme by │
│ Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN). │
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│ • Swearing-In Date : Monday, October 12, 2026 │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: LPPC Secretariat & Supreme Court Information Directives)
Strict Guidelines Against Congratulatory Ads
In a directive issued alongside the official list, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, warned all shortlisted conferees to strictly adhere to ethical standards regarding publicity:
“In line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, all successful applicants must neither publish nor encourage the publication of congratulatory advertisements or goodwill notices relating to their nomination… Any breach of these provisions may attract disciplinary sanctions.” — LPPC Official Statement
Swearing-In & Next Steps
All successful candidates are required to complete the mandatory BOSAN Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme prior to the formal conferment ceremony.
The formal swearing-in ceremony for the 69 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria is scheduled to take place at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
