The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has swore in 57 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that speaking during the special session of the Supreme Court marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year, Justice Kekere-Ekun described the conferment of the SAN rank as a moment of “solemn reflection and renewed commitment to the noble calling of justice.”
The CJN urged the new SANs to uphold the dignity of the rank, warning that the privilege could be withdrawn if abused.
“This occasion is not merely a celebration of time passing, but a call to take stock, reflect on our challenges and achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals of justice, fairness, and service to the Nigerian people,” she said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also paid tribute to four eminent jurists who passed away during the last legal year, including former Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and three retired Supreme Court justices.
She praised their “unwavering commitment to justice” and extended condolences to their families and the families of judicial staff lost during the year.
The CJN highlighted major reforms undertaken in the judiciary over the past yea.
On Petition Resolution, she said all pending petitions before the National Judicial Council (NJC) were resolved, with sanctions imposed where necessary and exonerations granted to those unjustly accused. According to her, a serial frivolous petitioner was barred from filing further petitions, while errant lawyers were referred to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that case management systems were streamlined, court records digitized, and a new Court Records Processing Unit established to drastically reduce missing files.
On improved access to justice, she said a Central Information Unit and Case Continuation Unit now allow lawyers and litigants to track case progress with ease.
The CJN added that the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) is set for nationwide rollout, enabling e-filing of appeals and reducing delays caused by physical filings.
According to her, on automation, the Supreme Court’s Notary Public Unit is now fully automated, with an Electronic Notary Register (ENR) for centralized tracking of certified Notaries.
On staff welfare, she said salaries and allowances were paid promptly, welfare packages improved, and constructive engagement with JUSUN helped avoid strikes.
The CJN reported that the Supreme Court heard 2,280 matters, including 560 appeals, and delivered 369 judgments – a significant rise from the previous year’s 247.
On anti-corruption efforts, she noted that the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) continued to work with agencies like the EFCC, which secured 1,417 convictions in 2025, and the ICPC, which initiated 43 new cases and secured nine convictions.
Among those elevated was Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina, a respected legal practitioner, reform advocate, and co-founder of Oyewole & Adesina.
Adedayo was born in Kano to the late Engr. Gbadebo Timothy Adesina and the late Mrs. Funmilayo Oluwatoyin Adesina, and hails from Ogbomosho, Oyo State. He graduated top of his class from the University of Jos in 2008, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009, and later earned an LL.M. in Banking and Finance Law from the University of London.
His 15-year legal career has seen him work with leading law firms such as Dele Olaniyan & Co., Templars, and Wole Olanipekun & Co., before co-founding Oyewole & Adesina, where he serves as Managing Partner.
Adedayo played a pivotal role in reform initiatives under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), including drafting the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (Omnibus Bill) and developing Practice Directions for Small Claims Courts across several states – reforms that have significantly improved access to justice and commercial dispute resolution.
Others sworn-in are the Secretary to Nasarawa State Government and former federal prosecutor, Shuaibu Labaran.
Olanrewaju Akinsola, a commercial litigation and tax advisory expert, legal historian and publisher of the Onigegewura blog with a unique focus on telling stories from old high-profile court cases through lucid writing.
Also sworn in is Preye Agedah, a former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Senior Advocates of Nigeria enjoy exclusive privileges in courtrooms, including reserved front-row seating and priority in case listings.
They are also easily distinguished by their silk robes, in contrast to the standard court attire worn by other lawyers—earning them the nickname “silks.”
Those sworn-in include:
1. Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Esq.
2. Fedude Zimughan, Esq.
3. Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji, Esq.
4. Victor Esiri Aapoguma, Esq.
5. Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, Esq.
6. Akintunde Wilson Adewale, Esq.
7. Preye Agedah, Esq.
8. Omamuzo Erebe, Esq.
9. Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Esq.
10. Olumide Ekisola, Esq.
11. George Ejie Ukaegbu, Esq.
12. Oromena Justice Ajakpovi, Esq.
13. Tairu Adebayo, Esq.
14. Bawa Akhimie Osali Ibrahim, Esq.
15. Suleh Umar, Esq.
16. Emeka Akabogu, Esq.
17. Godwin Sunday Ogboili, Esq.
18. Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya, Esq.
19. Adeolu Olusegun Salako, Esq.
20. Adetunji Oso, Esq.
21. Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Esq.
22. Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Esq.
23. Adizua Chu-Chu Okoroafor, Esq.
24. Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola, Esq.
25. Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi, Esq.
26. Adakole Edwin Inegbedu, Esq.
27. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Esq.
28. David Ogenyi Ogebe, Esq.
29. Aminu Sani Gadanya, Esq.
30. Oluseun Awonuga Adeniyi, Esq.
31. Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, Esq.
32. Ayodeji Joseph Ademola, Esq.
33. Kelechi Nwaiwu, Esq.
34. Lawal Garba Hudu, Esq.
35. Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Esq.
36. Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa, Esq.
37. Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi, Esq.
38. Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada, Esq.
39. Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, Esq.
40. Chinyere Ekenna Moneme, Esq.
41. Shuaibu Magaji Labaran, Esq.
42. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Esq.
43. Augustine Enenche Audu, Esq.
44. Ali Dussah Zubairu, Esq.
45. Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan, Esq.
46. Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola, Esq.
47. Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, Esq.
48. Victor Agunzi, Esq.
49. Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu, Esq.
50. Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello, Esq.
51. Temilolu Femi Adamolekun, Esq.
52. Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, Esq.
53. Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina, Esq.
54. Usman Yusuf Zaiyanu, Esq.
55. Taiwo Azeez Hassan, Esq.
56. Olufemi Olubunmi Oyewole, Esq.
Academic category
1. Professor Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu
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