By John Azu
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 68 legal practitioners, including Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye and Peter Odion Odia.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, following the 174th plenary session of the LPPC.
According to the statement, the list of successful candidates was approved by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the LPPC, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
The committee described the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the highest professional distinction conferred on legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional excellence either as courtroom advocates or as academics who have made significant contributions to the development of legal scholarship.
The LPPC said all successful candidates are required to attend and successfully complete the Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme organised in accordance with the directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), noting that participation in the programme is a mandatory prerequisite for the formal conferment of the rank.
The committee also reminded the successful applicants to comply strictly with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
“Furthermore, in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the provisions of Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, all shortlisted conferees must refrain from publishing and discourage the publication of advertisements, congratulatory messages, or goodwill notices related to their nomination or conferment. Any breach of these provisions may attract sanctions for violations of statutory or ethical rules as expressly stated,” the statement read.
The LPPC announced that the swearing-in ceremony for the successful applicants will take place on Monday, October 12.
Among those named for the prestigious rank, in order of seniority, are Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Godwill Achibong Umoh, Sunday Samuel Obende, Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John, Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Philomeon Audu Daffi and Adenrele David Adegborioye.
Others are James Eromosele Agbonhese, Alexander Nduka Muoka, Onome Okodiya, Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Ikhide Ehighelua, Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe, Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun, Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi, Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed and Peter Odion Odia, alongside 48 other successful candidates.