The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 57 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Those elevated include the Secretary to the government of Nasarawa State, Shuaib Magaji Labaran, Osun State Attorney General, Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada and two female legal practitioners — the Chairman of the NBA 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya and Mrs Chinyere Ekene Moneme.
Also elevated to the prestigious rank are David Ogenyi Ogebe, son of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice James Ogebe, Professor Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu, amonst others.
The list obtained on Thursday comprised 56 advocates and one from academia.
According to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Mr Kabir Eniola Akanbi, the list was approved by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, at LPPC’s 169th Plenary Session held on Thursday.
“The rank of 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.
“During the session, the Committee also considered three (3) petitions submitted against certain applicants. Upon thorough review, each petition was found to be lacking in merit and was accordingly dismissed.
“In accordance with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), all shortlisted prospective Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferees are required to attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme”, Akanbi said.
According to the LPPC secretary, participation in the induction programme is a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the SAN rank.
Meanwhile, the conferees have been warned in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the provisions of Rule 393 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, from publishing advertisements, congratulatory messages, or goodwill notices related to their nomination or conferment.
“Any breach of these provisions may attract sanctions for violations of statutory or ethical rules as expressly stated”, Akanbi said.
Meanwhile, the Swearing-In Ceremony for the 57 successful applicants is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Below is the list of the new SANs in order of seniority.
“Big day coming up! 56 new SANs, including some impressive female lawyers, will be sworn in on September 29. Congrats in advance to all the deserving recipients! 🎉👏”