By Ikpommwosa Odigie
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 57 distinguished lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), marking a significant recognition of excellence in the Nigerian legal profession.
The decision was taken at the LPPC’s 169th plenary session held in Abuja and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to the committee, 56 of the appointees are courtroom advocates, while one, Professor Chima Ubanyionwu, was elevated from academia.
Among the newly designated SANs are prominent legal personalities such as Ikechukwu Uwanna, Attorney General of Abia State and former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch; Labaran Magaji, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State; and Oluwole Jimi-Bada, Osun State’s Attorney General.
Only two women made the prestigious list this year:
Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, Chair of the 2024 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee
Mrs. Chinyere Ekene Money, a respected private legal practitioner.
The LPPC noted that three petitions were submitted against certain applicants but were dismissed after being found to lack merit.
The newly appointed SANs will be formally sworn in on Monday, September 29, 2025, in Abuja.
“All shortlisted conferees are required to attend and successfully complete the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme,” the committee emphasized in a statement.
The SAN title is conferred annually on legal professionals who have demonstrated distinction either through courtroom advocacy or exceptional academic contributions to legal development.
Notable New SANs Include:
Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Esq
Ernest Chikwendu Ikejle, Esq
Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Esq
Oromena Justice Ajakpovi, Esq
Emeka Akabogu, Esq
Adetunji Oso, Esq
Omamuzo Erebe, Esq
Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Esq
Suleh Umar, Esq
Adeolu Olusegun Salako, Esq
(Full list available upon request from LPPC Secretariat)
