The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has released the names of candidates shortlisted for the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank for 2026, with a total of 89 candidates making the list.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Kabir Akanbi, Secretary of the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, the shortlisted candidates comprise 77 legal practitioners in the advocacy category and 12 academics.
The committee explained that all shortlisted applicants successfully passed several stages of the rigorous selection process. These included the first and second filtration exercises for advocates, academic pre-qualification assessments, the academic attrition stage, independent appeals hearings and chambers inspection exercises.
The LPPC noted that the publication of the shortlist comes ahead of the final interview stage of the SAN conferment process. However, it stressed that inclusion on the list should not be interpreted as a successful application.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted Applicants is not an indication of a successful application,” the committee stated.
The committee also invited members of the public to provide comments on the integrity, competence and reputation of any shortlisted candidate. Such submissions must reach the Office of the Secretary of the LPPC at the Supreme Court in Abuja on or before 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2026.
According to the committee, any complaint or adverse representation must be supported by a verifying affidavit sworn before a superior court of record or a notary public in Nigeria and submitted in 20 copies.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank remains the highest honour bestowed on legal practitioners and academics in Nigeria, recognising exceptional contributions to legal practice, scholarship and the development of the law.
Full List of Shortlisted Candidates
Advocates
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
- Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
- Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
- Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq.
- Adenrele David Adegboriye, Esq.
- James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
- Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
- Onome Okodiya, Esq.
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
- Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
- Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
- Humprey Ehi Uwaifo, Esq.
- Akugbe Jonathan Osayande, Esq.
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
- Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
- Olaide Bamidele Akinseye-George, Esq.
- Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
- Moses Okoh Oyilokwu, Esq.
- Abiodun Ebenezer Dada, Esq.
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
- Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
- Israel Ikechukwu Alobu, Esq.
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
- Adebayo Olanrewaju Omole, Esq.
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
- Olujumoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
- Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
- Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Esq.
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
- Somina Peter Johnbuhl, Esq.
- Chinedum Ikenna Umechie, Esq.
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
- Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Esq.
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
- Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedyin Adeniyi, Esq.
- Olamide Mujigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
- Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
- Ninaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
- Kayode Orire Omoshehin, Esq.
- Akponimisingha Osuobeni Ekoi, Esq.
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
- Bolu Agbaje Akadiri, Esq.
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajila, Esq.
- Adetokunbo Oluwasanmi Davies, Esq.
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
- Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
- Obinna Gerald Onya, Esq.
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
- Olajide Salami, Esq.
Academics
- Prof. John Alewo Musa Agbonika
- Prof. Najeem Adeyemi Ijaiya
- Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareeri
- Prof. Nathaniel Ahabue Inegbedion
- Prof. Akkarren Samuel Shaakaa
- Prof. Olusesan Ujaid Oliyide
- Prof. Violet Omon Aigbokhaevbo
- Prof. Emmanuel Ayangarumun Kenen
- Prof. Collins Odioma Chijioke
- Prof. Ahmed Rabiu
- Prof. Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir
- Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola
