The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 57 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), following its 169th plenary session held on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
This was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq. The session was presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairperson of the LPPC, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON.
According to the LPPC, the elevation is “a mark of professional excellence” and was conferred on advocates who demonstrated exceptional skill in court advocacy or made significant academic contributions to the legal profession.
Of the 57 honorees, 56 were elevated in the advocates’ category, while one, Professor Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu, was approved in the academic category.
The Committee also addressed three petitions submitted against some applicants. However, after thorough consideration, all three were dismissed for lacking merit.
The LPPC further directed that all newly appointed SANs must successfully undergo the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme before their conferment. It also reminded recipients and the public that congratulatory messages, advertisements, or goodwill notices are prohibited, in accordance with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
“Any breach of these provisions may attract sanctions for violations of statutory or ethical rules,” the Committee warned.
The swearing-in ceremony for the 2025 SAN conferment is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025.
Among those named for elevation are Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Fedude Zimughan, Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji, Victor Esiri Akpoguma, Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, Akintunde Wilson Adewale, Preye Agedah, and Omamuzo Erebe.
