37

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Monday, September 29, 2025, officially inaugurate 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), marking a major milestone in the nation’s legal profession.

The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Eniola Akanbi, who confirmed that the elevation of the distinguished legal practitioners was approved by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), under the leadership of the CJN.

An Honour Reserved For Legal Excellence

According to Akanbi, the conferment of the SAN rank is a distinguished honour given only to lawyers who have consistently demonstrated exceptional merit, either as courtroom advocates or as legal scholars advancing the frontiers of jurisprudence.

“The rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred as a mark of professional excellence upon legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics contributing significantly to the development of legal scholarship,” the statement read.

He also noted that all shortlisted candidates must attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, in line with the directive of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN).

Petitions Dismissed After Review

Akanbi revealed that the committee also reviewed three petitions filed against certain applicants during the screening process. However, after thorough consideration, each of the petitions was found to be without merit and subsequently dismissed.

57 Lawyers To Receive SAN Title

Of the 57 newly elevated legal professionals, 56 are advocates, while one is an academic, Professor Chima Ubanyionwu, who was selected based on his contributions to legal education and research.

Among the notable names on the list are Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Fedude Zimughan, and Ernest Chikwendu Ikejle. The full list includes seasoned litigators and respected practitioners from various regions across the country.

Full List Of 2025 SAN Appointees:

1. Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Esq

2. Fedude Zimughan, Esq

3. Ernest Chikwendu Ikejle, Esq

4. Victor Esiri Akpoguma, Esq

5. Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, Esq

6. Akintunde Wilson Adewale, Esq

7. Preye Agedah, Esq

8. Omamuzo Erebe, Esq

9. Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Esq

10. Olumide Ekisola, Esq

11. George Ejie Ukaegbu, Esq

12. Oromena Justice Ajakpovi, Esq

13. Tairu Adebayo, Esq

14. Bawa Akhimie Osali Ibrahim, Esq

15. Suleh Umar, Esq

16. Emeka Akabogu, Esq

17. Godwin Sunday Ogboji, Esq

18. Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya, Esq

19. Adeolu Olusegun Salako, Esq

20. Adetunji Oso, Esq

21. Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Esq

22. Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Esq

23. Oladimeji Bisiriyu, Esq

24. Henry Akpoveta, Esq

25. Temitope Salami, Esq

26. Ibrahim Aliyu, Esq

27. Charles Obegolu, Esq

28. Jude Ihenyen, Esq

29. Aishat Bello, Esq

30. Aliyu Adamu, Esq

31. Maryam Shehu, Esq

32. Farouk Adebayo, Esq

33. Ekanem Idorenyin, Esq

34. Patrick Nwankwo, Esq

35. Ganiyu Bakare, Esq

36. Joy Ofor, Esq

37. Jide Oduyemi, Esq

38. Lanre Aguda, Esq

39. Eziuche Nwankwo, Esq

40. Bala Abdullahi, Esq

41. Theresa Oghene, Esq

42. Nneka Maduka, Esq

43. Mohammed Hassan, Esq

44. Abimbola Aderemi, Esq

45. Godfrey Idu, Esq

46. Ibrahim Musa, Esq

47. Margaret Dogo, Esq

48. Lawal Sadiq, Esq

49. Raphael Abang, Esq

50. Uduak Okon, Esq

51. Adekoya Adegboyega, Esq

52. Stella Umeh, Esq

53. Ibrahim Danbaba, Esq

54. Jude Otega, Esq

55. Musa Shettima, Esq

56. Ayodeji Ojo, Esq

57. Prof. Chima Ubanyionwu (Academic)

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja. It is expected to attract key figures from the judiciary, academia, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

This year’s conferment reaffirms the commitment of the judiciary to uphold merit, professionalism, and discipline within the Nigerian legal system.