LPPC Elevates 87 Lawyers to Senior Advocates of Nigeria

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has elevated 87 lawyers in Nigeria to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), including Ekele Iheanacho, a counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

This was disclosed in a press release on August 1, 2024, by the Secretary of the LPPC, Hajia Hajo Sarki Bello. 

The LPPC is the sole body that appoints lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while preserving the integrity of the legal profession. 

According to the statement, the elevations took place under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at its 164th Plenary session held on Thursday. 

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“The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics,” the statement partly reads. 

The meeting considered five different petitions written against some of the applicants but dismissed them for lacking merit.

“The swearing-in ceremony of the 87 successful applicants is scheduled to take place on Monday, the 30th day of September 2024,” the statement partly reads. 

About the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank is equivalent to the rank of King’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is usually conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria who have practiced with excellence for at least ten years. 

Among other things, a SAN stands a greater chance of being appointed as a judge. 

Prior to their elevations, the general public was invited by the LPPC to comment on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the listed applicants. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted applicants is not an indication of their success in the process,” the LPPC had stated.  

Below are the newly elevated lawyers: 

• Lateef Karim, Esq.
• Godwin Ike, Esq.
• Johnson Odionu, Esq.
• Nnodim Duru, Esq.
• Innocent Ovbagbedia, Esq.
• Soronnadi Njoku, Esq.
• Adamu Abubakar, Esq.
• Charles Musa, Esq.
• Udochi Iheanacho, Esq.
• David Onietan, Esq.
• Elele Casmir, Esq.
• Josiah Nduka, Esq.
• Godwin Obeta, Esq.
• Habeeb Ilavbare, Esq.
• Moses Obafemi, Esq.
• Mathew Esonanjor, Esq.
• Baba Dalah, Esq.
• Babatunde Sodipo, Esq.
• Mustapha Abubakar, Esq.
• Emmanuel Esene, Esq.
• Henry Bello, Esq.
• Boniface Moore, Esq.
• Clement Ezika, Esq.
• Omokayode Dada, Esq.
• Edwin Anikwem, Esq.
• Roy Nwaeze, Esq.
• Olumide Olugbenga, Esq.
• Monday Ubani, Esq.
• Ayoola Ajayi, Esq.
• Paul Obi, Esq.
• Olasupo Ati-John, Esq.
• Cole Ololade, Esq.
• Charles Adeogun-Phillips, Esq.
• Okechukwu Ajunwa, Esq.
• Jacob Ifere, Esq.
• Emmanuel Adekile, Esq.
• Christopher Okeke, Esq.
• Oluronke Adeyemi, Esq.
• Oluwole Olawale Afolabi, Esq.
• Toboukebide Kekemeke, Esq.
• Akinbamigbe Adesomoju, Esq.
• Victor Owarienomare Odjemu, Esq.
• Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune, Esq.
• Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, Esq.
• Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim, Esq.
• Stanley Chidozie Imo, Esq.
• Charles Oladipo Titiloye, Esq.
• Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Esq.
• Kingsley Chuku, Esq.
• Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi, Esq.
• Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi, Esq.
• Adedeji Sharafadeen Abdulkadir, Esq.
• Idowu Omotunde Benson, Esq.
• Kolawole James Olowookere, Esq.
• Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam, Esq.
• Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan, Esq.
• Omosanya Atilola Popoola, Esq.
• Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide, Esq.
• Emonye Oga Adekwu, Esq.
• Aderemi Oguntoye, Esq.
• Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun, Esq.
• Abdul Adamu, Esq.
• Theodore Ezeobi, Esq.
• Rilwan Umar, Esq.
• Chienye Okafor, Esq.
• Kaka Lawan, Esq.
• Abba Muhammed, Esq.
• Wendy Kuku, Esq.
• Ekele Iheanacho, Esq.
• Okechukwu Edeze, Esq.
• Akinyemi Olujinmi, Esq.
• Gyang Yaya Zi, Esq.
• Idris Abubakar, Esq.
• George Ibrahim, Esq.
• Boonyameen Lawal, Esq.
• Terkaa Aondo, Esq.
• Tochukwu Tochukwu, Esq.
• Uchenna Njoku, Esq.
• Paul Daudu, Esq.
• Chukwudi Enebeli, Esq.
• Yusuf Ogunrinde, Esq.
• Tobechukwu Nweke, Esq.
• Ademola Abimbola, Esq.
• Yunus Abdulsalam, Esq.
• Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, Esq.
• Chukwuemeka Nnawuchi, Esq.
• Prof. Ganiyu Oke

About the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) is established by section 5(1) of the LPA. The function of the committee is the Conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on persons qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria for not less than ten years and has achieved distinction in the legal profession in such manner as the Committee may, from time to time, determine.

Composition of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee

According to Section 5(3) of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) consists of the following: 

• The Chief Justice who shall be chairman
• The Attorney-General of the Federation
• One Justice of the Supreme Court
• The President of the Court of Appeal
• Five of the Chief Judges of the States
• The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court; and
• Five legal practitioners who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

Qualifications for the Conferment of the title of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria

They include the following:

• 10 years post-call
• Payment of N600,000.00 non-refundable processing fees for first filter and another N200,000.00 as conferment fee
• Evidence of at least 20 judgments of the High Court or other superior courts of record, 5 final judgments of the Court of Appeal and 4 final Judgments of the Supreme Court OR 3 cases only from the Supreme Court which he conducted personally from trial to the Supreme Court.
• Evidence of current active practice
• Give list of at least 10 Judges for confidential Report
• Give List of 6 legal practitioners for confidential report (NOTE 3 of the Judges listed and 3 Legal Practitioners will be picked to write the Report.)
• Evidence of contribution to the legal development through case Law, publications etc.
• Must have a standard Law office or be a partner with at least 5 juniors and the Partnership agreement will be of at least 5 years.
• Evidence of payment of practicing fees for at least 10 years
• Evidence of payment of income tax for 3 years
• Evidence of pro bono legal services to indigent clients
• Must have demonstrated leadership qualities and loyalty to the profession. 
• Academic applicants will have to furnish:

1. Evidence of distinguished contribution to Legal scholarship and jurisprudence which has some source of reference in the profession.
2. 20 copies of publications to be assessed by the Academic Subcommittee consisting of 2 Professors, a SAN, a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

See the Guidelines for the Conferment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria 2017.

Privileges of Senior Advocates of Nigeria

The following are the privileges of Senior Advocates of Nigeria:

• Sitting at the inner Bar of Courts
• Right to mention a motion or a cause for mention out of turn
• To be robbed in a silk gown

Restriction on Senior Advocates of Nigeria

• SAN’s are not to appear or settle documents less than N400.00 or appear before inferior Courts. See ECWA V. IJESHA where the Court held that it is only a rule observed by them but will be inconsistent with the Constitution granting a Lawyer the right to represent clients in Court.
• SAN’s cannot appear alone in civil cases except with a junior or a fellow SAN. This restriction does not apply in criminal cases as he can appear alone.