The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has released the list of 57 shortlisted candidates for the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN for the year 2025.
The list, which includes 56 practicing lawyers and one academic, was approved during the LPPC’s 169th plenary session held on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
The approval was presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the LPPC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, Kabir Akanbi.
“The shortlisted candidates were selected based on professional excellence, whether in courtroom advocacy or academic contributions to the legal profession,” the statement read.
Akanbi also revealed that three petitions filed against certain applicants were reviewed during the session.
However, all petitions were dismissed for lacking merit.
As part of the requirements, the shortlisted candidates must undergo and complete a mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme before they can be formally decorated with the SAN rank.
The LPPC further cautioned nominees against premature publicity.
“In line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, shortlisted candidates must refrain from placing congratulatory messages or advertisements in relation to their nomination. Breach of this provision will attract sanctions,” the statement warned.
The conferment ceremony for the new Senior Advocates is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Notable names on the shortlist include Theophilus Esan, Ernest Ikeji, Akintunde Adewale, Preye Agedah, Emeka Akabogu, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, Shuaibu Labaran, and Professor Chima Ubanyionwu—the sole academic among the nominees.
