The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has published the list of candidates shortlisted for the final stage of the 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment process, bringing the prestigious annual exercise closer to its conclusion.
The announcement was made in a press statement issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq. According to the Committee, the shortlisted candidates successfully passed through the various screening stages prescribed under the LPPC Guidelines, including the Advocates First and Second Filtration Exercises, Academic Pre-Qualification and Academic Second Filtration Exercises, Independent Appeals Hearings, and Law Office Inspection Exercises.
The LPPC disclosed that a total of 89 applicants were shortlisted, comprising 77 advocate applicants and 12 academic applicants. The Committee, however, clarified that inclusion on the shortlist does not automatically translate to the conferment of the SAN rank, noting that all candidates remain subject to the final interview stage and other requirements outlined in the guidelines. The SAN rank remains one of the highest honours in the Nigerian legal profession, reserved for practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills, legal scholarship, integrity, and service to the profession.
PUBLIC INVITED TO COMMENT
As part of the transparency measures embedded in the SAN selection process, the LPPC has invited members of the public to submit comments regarding the integrity, reputation, and competence of any of the shortlisted applicants.
The Committee stated that complaints must be accompanied by a verifying affidavit sworn before a Superior Court of Record in Nigeria or before a Notary Public. Such complaints are required to be submitted in twenty copies and received by the office of the Secretary of the LPPC not later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Comments may also be submitted electronically via the Committee’s official email address.
The LPPC reiterated that the publication is solely for public scrutiny and does not constitute a declaration of successful application.
FULL LIST OF SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES
ADVOCATE APPLICANTS
1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq.
2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq.
3. Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq.
4. Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq.
5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq.
6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq.
7. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq.
8. Philemeon Audu Daffi, Esq.
9. Adenrele David Adegborioye, Esq.
10. James Eromosele Agbonhese, Esq.
11. Alexander Nduka Muoka, Esq.
12. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Esq.
13. Onome Okodiya, Esq.
14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Esq.
15. Ikhide Ehighelua, Esq.
16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Esq.
17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Esq.
18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Esq.
19. Humprey Ehi Uwaifo, Esq.
20. Akugbe Jonathan Osayande, Esq.
21. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Esq.
22. Odion Peter Odia, Esq.
23. Olaide Bamidele Akinseye-George, Esq.
24. Gbemiga Adaramola, Esq.
25. Moses Okoh Oyilokwu, Esq.
26. Abiodun Ebenezer Dada, Esq.
27. Charles Azubuike Obodozie, Esq.
28. Hiakeem Obafemi Agaba, Esq.
29. Bimbo Felix Atilola, Esq.
30. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze, Esq.
31. Israel Ikechukwu Alobu, Esq.
32. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan, Esq.
33. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle, Esq.
34. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie, Esq.
35. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno, Esq.
36. Adebayo Olanrewaju Omole, Esq.
37. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu, Esq.
38. Olujumoke Enitan Aliu, Esq.
39. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi, Esq.
40. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie, Esq.
41. Faruk Abdullah, Esq.
42. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman, Esq.
43. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko, Esq.
44. Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Esq.
45. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe, Esq.
46. Sabiu Gumba Adamu, Esq.
47. Eric Ideriah Ovia, Esq.
48. Soibi Keme-Egolukumor Omare, Esq.
49. Somina Peter Johnbull, Esq.
50. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche, Esq.
51. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe, Esq.
52. Junaidu Bello Marshall, Esq.
53. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff, Esq.
54. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda, Esq.
55. Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye, Esq.
56. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim, Esq.
57. Agba Eimunjeze, Esq.
58. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Esq.
59. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Esq.
60. Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Adekunle, Esq.
61. Umaru Yunusa, Esq.
62. Akorede Habeeb Lawal, Esq.
63. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba, Esq.
64. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu, Esq.
65. Kayode Orire Omosehin, Esq.
66. Akponimisingha Osuobeni Ekoi, Esq.
67. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala, Esq.
68. Bolu Agbaje Akadri, Esq.
69. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao, Esq.
70. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Esq.
71. Adetokunbo Oluwasanmi Davies, Esq.
72. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq.
73. Afees Hassan Adebayo, Esq.
74. Obinna Gerald Onya, Esq.
75. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun, Esq.
76. Jonathan Akintola Makinde, Esq.
77. Olajide Salami, Esq.
ACADEMIC APPLICANTS
1. Prof. John Alewo Musa Agbonika
2. Prof. Najeem Adeyemi Ijaiya
3. Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
4. Prof. Nathaniel Ahabue Inegbedion
5. Prof. Akkarren Samuel Shaakaa
6. Prof. Olusesan Ujaid Oliyide
7. Prof. Violet Omon Aigbokhaevbo
8. Prof. Emmanuel Ayangarumun Kenen
9. Prof. Collins Obioma Chijioke
10. Prof. Ahmed Rabiu
11. Prof. Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir
12. Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola
The final interview stage is expected to determine which of the shortlisted candidates will ultimately be recommended for conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2026.