The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 57 legal practitioners for the award of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for the 2025 conferment cycle.
The secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola—who is also the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court—made the announcement in a statement shared on Thursday.
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The shortlist was approved at the 169th plenary session of the LPPC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The SAN title is the highest honour conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria, reserved for lawyers who have attained exceptional distinction in the legal profession, either as advocates in the courtroom or as academics.
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The 57 shortlisted applicants are now expected to undergo a pre-swearing induction.
The LPPC said it received three petitions against some applicants but found all to be without merit and dismissed them accordingly.
“In accordance with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), all shortlisted prospective SANs are required to attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme,” Mr Eniola stated.
Participation in the induction programme is a mandatory condition for the formal conferment of the SAN title.
Additionally, Mr Eniola cautioned that in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct (2023), all nominees must refrain from placing or encouraging the publication of congratulatory messages, advertisements, or goodwill notices.
Violations of this provision, he warned, may attract disciplinary sanctions.
Among those shortlisted is the Secretary to Nasarawa State Government and former federal prosecutor, Shuaibu Labaran.
The list also has Olanrewaju Akinsola, a commercial litigation and tax advisory expert, legal historian and publisher of the Onigegewura blog with unique focus of telling stories from old high-profile court cases through lucid writing.
Also on the list is Preye Agedah, a former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice.
Mr Agedah has also been appointed a Life Bencher—the first Bayelsan to attain such honour in the Nigerian legal system.
Another notable name is Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu, a legal scholar and former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Aguata Branch, who was selected under the academic category.
The conferment ceremony is scheduled for 29 September, during the special court session that marks the start of the new legal year of the Supreme Court. The ceremony is traditionally held at the Supreme Court’s complex in Abuja.
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Senior Advocates of Nigeria enjoy exclusive privileges in courtrooms, including reserved front-row seating and priority in case listings.
They are also easily distinguished by their silk robes, in contrast to the standard court attire worn by other lawyers—earning them the nickname “silks.”
List of 2025 SAN shortlisted candidates
Advocacy category:
1. Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Esq.
2. Fedude Zimughan, Esq.
3. Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji, Esq.
4. Victor Esiri Aapoguma, 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 Ogboili, 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. Adizua Chu-Chu Okoroafor, Esq.
24. Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola, Esq.
25. Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi, Esq.
26. Adakole Edwin Inegbedu, Esq.
27. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Esq.
28. David Ogenyi Ogebe, Esq.
29. Aminu Sani Gadanya, Esq.
30. Oluseun Awonuga Adeniyi, Esq.
31. Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, Esq.
32. Ayodeji Joseph Ademola, Esq.
33. Kelechi Nwaiwu, Esq.
34. Lawal Garba Hudu, Esq.
35. Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Esq.
36. Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa, Esq.
37. Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi, Esq.
38. Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada, Esq.
39. Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, Esq.
40. Chinyere Ekenna Moneme, Esq.
41. Shuaibu Magaji Labaran, Esq.
42. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Esq.
43. Augustine Enenche Audu, Esq.
44. Ali Dussah Zubairu, Esq.
45. Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan, Esq.
46. Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola, Esq.
47. Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, Esq.
48. Victor Agunzi, Esq.
49. Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu, Esq.
50. Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello, Esq.
51. Temilolu Femi Adamolekun, Esq.
52. Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, Esq.
53. Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina, Esq.
54. Usman Yusuf Zaiyanu, Esq.
55. Taiwo Azeez Hassan, Esq.
56. Olufemi Olubunmi Oyewole, Esq.
Academic category
1. Professor Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu
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