The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 72 lawyers for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for the year 2025.
This was announced in a public notice dated 17 June 2025, signed by the LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq. The shortlist includes 57 advocate applicants and 15 from the academic category.
The announcement marks a key phase in the SAN conferment process, with shortlisted candidates now set to proceed to the final stage, which includes rigorous interviews and assessments.
Those under the advocate category were listed in order of seniority at the Bar, and include notable legal practitioners such as Theophilus Esan Kolawole, Fedude Zimughan, Ernest Chik Wendu Ikeji, Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, and Emeka Akabogu, among others.
Academic candidates include several law professors drawn from universities across the country. Among them are Professor John Alewo Agbonika, Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Professor Augustine Robert Agom, and Professor Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan.
In line with LPPC guidelines, the committee has invited the public to submit comments or objections regarding the integrity, competence, or reputation of any shortlisted applicant. Such submissions must be supported by a verifying affidavit deposed to before a superior court or a notary public, and filed in 20 copies.
“All comments or complaints must be received at the LPPC Secretariat no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, 14 July 2025. Submissions may also be sent via email to ippesecretariat@courts.gov.ng or enquiries.ippesecretariat@supremecourt.gov.ng,” the notice stated.
The LPPC further clarified that the publication of names is not a guarantee of final selection, and successful candidates will be announced only after the completion of all screening processes.
The rank of SAN is the highest legal distinction in Nigeria’s legal profession and is awarded to legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves in the practice of law or academic research.
