CJN to swear in 57 new Senior Advocates on Sept 29

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Monday, September 29 swear in 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) including the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State (SSG), Shuaib Magaji Labaran, Osun State Attorney General, Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada and Ayodeji Joseph Ademola, as part of programmes lined up to kick-start the 2025/2026 legal year of the Court.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had announced their elevation to the prestigious rank after a diligent selection process.

Also elevated to the inner bar is David Ogenyi Ogebe, son of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice James Ogebe, Professor Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu and 52 other lawyers.

Among the 56 advocates are Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Fedude Zimughan and Ernest Ikeji, while the successful candidate from the academia is Prof Chima Ubanyionwu.

The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred as a mark of professional excellence upon legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics contributing significantly to the development of legal scholarship.

The inauguration is scheduled billed to hold at the Main Courtroom of the apex court, according to a statement by the Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Festus Akande.

Akande said, “In line with our age-long tradition, during the special court session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will deliver a State-of-the-Judiciary address.

‘This is with a view to highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular, and the Nigerian Judiciary in general, in the 2024/2025 legal year.

“In the same vein, other leading stakeholders in the Justice Sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the sector.

“These include: Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), amongst others.”

The Supreme Court had commenced its annual vacation after a remarkably successful 2024/2025 legal year, on Monday, 21st July, 2025.

All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will start at 10:am.