LPPC Shortlists 89 Applicants for 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rank
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has released the list of candidates shortlisted for the final stages of the 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment exercise, paving the way for the concluding phase of one of the most prestigious professional elevations in the Nigerian legal profession.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq., the Committee announced that the shortlisted applicants successfully passed through the various screening and filtration stages prescribed under the LPPC Guidelines.
According to the Committee, the candidates emerged after scaling the Advocates First and Second Filtration Exercises, Academic Pre-Qualification and Academic Second Filtration Exercises, Independent Appeals Hearings, as well as Law Office Inspection Exercises.
The publication of the shortlist marks a significant milestone in the rigorous selection process leading to the conferment of the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, which is awarded annually to legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves in advocacy, legal scholarship, integrity, professional excellence, and service to the legal profession.
A total of 89 applicants made the shortlist, comprising 77 advocate applicants and 12 academic applicants.
The LPPC emphasized that the publication of the names does not amount to a successful conferment and that all shortlisted candidates are still subject to the final interview stage and other requirements stipulated under the LPPC Guidelines.
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.
Among them was Director of the Legal Department of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Akpomosingha Osuobeni.
Others included former spokesperson of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Habeeb Akorede, and Vice President of Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Olaide Akinseye-George.
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.
