The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 57 distinguished legal practitioners in the 2025 cycle.

This was made known through a statement released by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, yesterday, following the committee’s 169th plenary session, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, disclosing that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The rank of SAN, regarded as the highest mark of distinction in the Nigerian legal profession, is conferred on lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional excellence either as courtroom advocates or through scholarly contributions as academics.

Among the 57 successful candidates, 56 were appointed under the advocates’ category, while one academic, Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu, was named under the academic applicant.

The committee also reviewed three petitions against certain applicants. All were found to be unmeritorious and subsequently dismissed.

The LPPC emphasised that, in line with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), all conferees must attend and complete the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme.

The statement added that prospective SANs have been warned against any form of self-advertisement or publication of congratulatory messages, as stipulated in Paragraph 25(1) of the LPPC Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023. Breach of this rule may attract sanctions.

Among those elevated to the advocate category are notable legal practitioners, including Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Fedude Zimughan, Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji, Victor Esiri Akpoguma, Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, Akintunde Wilson Adewale, Preye Agedah, Omamuzo Erebe, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Olumide Ekisola, and George Ejie Ukaegbu.

Others include Oromena Justice Ajakpovi, Tairu Adebayo, Bawa Akhimie Osali Ibrahim, Suleh Umar, Emeka Akabogu, Godwin Sunday Ogboji, Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya, Adeolu Olusegun Salako, and Adetunji Oso.

Also among the list are Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Adizua Chu-Chu Okoroafor, Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola, Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi, Adakole Edwin Inegedu, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, David Ogenyi Ogebe, Aminu Sani Gadanya, Oluseun Awonuga Adeniyi, Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, Ayodeji Joseph Ademola, Kelechi Nwaiwu, Lawal Garba Hudu, Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa, Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi, Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada, Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, Chinyere Ekene Moneme, among others.