Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at the ceremony marking the 2026/2027 legal year.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) announced the development in a news flash on its official X account on Monday, sharing videos and pictures from the ceremony.
The swearing-in followed the approval of the 68 nominees by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee during its 174th plenary session, chaired by Kekere-Ekun, about three months ago.
According to a statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola, the new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
Obiaraeri was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship, making him the only academic among the recipients.
The SAN rank is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession. It recognises practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional ability in advocacy or made significant contributions to the development of law through academic work.
Before the conferment, the LPPC required successful applicants to participate in a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced later.
The committee also reminded the newly elevated lawyers to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.
It warned them against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or conferment, noting that violations could attract sanctions.
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