LPPC unveils list of 89 candidates for 2026 SAN award

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shared the names of candidates shortlisted for the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank for 2026.

The candidates are divided into two groups: 77 advocates and 12 academics. This brings the total number of shortlisted candidates to 89.

The list was announced in a statement on Wednesday. It was signed by the LPPC Secretary, Kabir Akanbi, who is also the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.

The committee mentioned that the shortlisted candidates went through various stages of the selection process. These included the first and second filtration stages for advocates, academic pre-qualification, academic first attrition exercise, independent appeals hearing, and chambers inspection exercise.

The LPPC said that releasing the names comes before the final interview stage for the SAN award.

The committee reminded everyone that being on the shortlist does not mean 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.

They also invited the public to share their views on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the shortlisted candidates.

The committee asked the public to send their comments to the Office of the Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja. All comments should reach the office by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 July.

They specified that any complaint or negative remark about a candidate must be backed by a verifying affidavit. This affidavit must be sworn before a superior court or a notary public in Nigeria. The committee added that such comments must be submitted in 20 copies.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank is the highest honor given to legal practitioners in Nigeria. It is awarded each year to lawyers and academics who have excelled in legal practice, scholarship, and contributions to the law.

Find the full list below:

Advocates Candidates

1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.

1. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.

1. Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.

1. Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.

1. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.

1. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.

1. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.

1. Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq.

1. Adenrele David Adegboriye, Esq.

1. James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.

1. Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.

1. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.

1. Onome Okodiya, Esq.

1. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.

1. Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.

1. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.

1. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.

1. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.

1. Humprey Ehi Uwaifo, Esq.

1. Akugbe Jonathan Osayande, Esq.

1. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.

1. Odion Peter Odia, Esq.

1. Olaide Bamidele Akinseye-George, Esq.

1. Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.

1. Moses Okoh Oyilokwu, Esq.

1. Abiodun Ebenezer Dada, Esq.

1. Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.

1. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.

1. Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.

1. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.

1. Israel Ikechukwu Alobu, Esq.

1. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.

1. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.

1. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.

1. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.

1. Adebayo Olanrewaju Omole, Esq.

1. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.

1. Olujumoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.

1. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.

1. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.

1. Faruk Abdullah, Esq.

1. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.

1. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.

1. Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Esq.

1. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.

1. Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.

1. Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.

1. Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Esq.

1. Somina Peter Johnbuhl, Esq.

1. Chinedum Ikenna Umechie, Esq.

1. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.

1. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.

1. Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.

1. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.

1. Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Esq.

1. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.

1. Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.

1. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.

1. Adetunji Taiwo Adedyin Adeniyi, Esq.

1. Olamide Mujigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.

1. Umaru Yunusa, Esq.

1. Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.

1. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.

1. Ninaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.

1. Kayode Orire Omoshehin, Esq.

1. Akponimisingha Osuobeni Ekoi, Esq.

1. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.

1. Bolu Agbaje Akadiri, Esq.

1. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.

1. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajila, Esq.

1. Adetokunbo Oluwasanmi Davies, Esq.

1. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.

1. Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.

1. Obinna Gerald Onya, Esq.

1. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.

1. Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.

1. Olajide Salami, Esq.

Academics

1. Prof. John Alewo Musa Agbonika

1. Prof. Najeem Adeyemi Ijaiya

1. Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiareeri

1. Prof. Nathaniel Ahabue Inegbedion

1. Prof. Akkarren Samuel Shaakaa

1. Prof. Olusesan Ujaid Oliyide

1. Prof. Violet Omon Aigbokhaevbo

1. Prof. Emmanuel Ayangarumun Kenen

1. Prof. Collins Odioma Chijioke

1. Prof. Ahmed Rabiu

1. Prof. Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir

1. Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola