FULL LIST: CJN Swears In 68 New SANs, Warns Against Professional Misconduct

 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.

The ceremony was held on Monday at the Supreme Court in Abuja. The new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. Their elevation was earlier approved by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its 174th plenary session in July 2026.

While addressing the new SANs, Justice Kekere-Ekun warned that attaining the prestigious rank does not place any lawyer above accountability.

She urged the recipients to uphold professional integrity, humility and dignity, stressing that the rank of Senior Advocate is not merely a recognition of professional success but also a call to leadership and responsibility.

The CJN also warned against the use of social media to turn professional disagreements into personal attacks, threats, ridicule and harassment of judges and lawyers. She advised legal practitioners to use the appropriate channels when challenging court decisions or reporting professional misconduct.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, also called for stronger accountability within the legal profession and a faster, more transparent disciplinary process for lawyers accused of misconduct.

Full List of the 68 New SANs

1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu

2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor

3. Godwill Achibong Umoh

4. Sunday Samuel Obende

5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe

6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso

7. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John

8. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun

9. Philemeon Audu Daffi

10. Adenrele David Adegborioye

11. James Eromosele Agbonhese

12. Alexander Nduka Muoka

13. Onome Okodiya

14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye

15. Ikhide Ehighelua

16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe

17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun

18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi

19. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed

20. Odion Peter Odia

21. Gbemiga Adaramola

22. Moses Okoh Onyilokwu

23. Charles Azubuike Obodozie

24. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba

25. Bimbo Felix Atilola

26. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze

27. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan

28. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle

29. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie

30. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno

31. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu

32. Olujoke Enitan Aliu

33. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie

34. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi

35. Faruk Abdullah

36. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman

37. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko

38. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe

39. Sabiu Gumba Adamu

40. Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare

41. Soibi Ideriah Ovia

42. Somina Peter Johnbull

43. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche

44. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe

45. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff

46. Junaidu Bello Marshall

47. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda

48. Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye

49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim

50. Agba Eimunjeze

51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande

52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi

53. Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle

54. Umaru Yunusa

55. Akorede Habeeb Lawal

56. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba

57. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu

58. Kayode Orire Omosehin

59. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala

60. Bolu Agbaje Akadri

61. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao

62. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala

63. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja

64. Afees Hassan Adebayo

65. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun

66. Jonathan Akintola Makinde

67. Olajide Salami

68. Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri

The conferment of the SAN rank remains one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession, recognising exceptional achievement in legal practice and scholarship.