On September 30, 2024, the legal community gathered to celebrate the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 87 legal practitioners who had distinguished themselves and by their outstanding achievements and contributions in the legal profession in Nigeria as advocates or academics.
The conferment ceremony took place at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, with the newly sworn-in Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat MO Kekere-Ekun, administering the conferment on the senior lawyers at the Supreme Court complex, Abuja. It witnessed the presence of the crème de la crème of the legal profession in Nigeria with judges, esteemed members of the judiciary, political leaders, friends, and families all coming together to honour this year’s recipients. The selection process began this year, July when the LPPC shortlisted 98 candidates for this year’s conferment, including 87 practicing lawyers and 11 academics. Among this year’s honourees were seasoned practitioners and one academic who had excelled in various fields of law.
The SAN title instituted on April 3, 1975, is Nigeria’s equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel (QC), which is now known as the King’s Counsel (KC),in other jurisdictions, and is a privilege awarded by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee(LPPC) as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who are in full time legal practice; have distinguished themselves as advocates; and have made significant contribution to the development of the legal. Apart from enjoying high professional fees and wearing specially made silk gowns, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has the exclusive right to sit in the inner bar and to mention any motion or any other cause or matter which is on the list for mention and not otherwise listed for hearing out of its turn on the cause list, amongst others. However, Senior Advocates are precluded from personally practicing as solicitors in Nigeria.
The LPPC is made up of the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman, the Attorney-General of the Federation, one justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Court of Appeal, five Chief Judges of States, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and five legal practitioners who are SANs.
The SAN conferment is more than a ceremonial event; it is a celebration of commitment, resilience, and excellence in law. As we recognise the newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, we are reminded of the profound role that lawyers play in shaping the rule of law and the ongoing pursuit of justice in society. It is hoped that the contributions of these exceptional attorneys will undoubtedly inspire future generations in their legal careers.
Listed in order of seniority at the Bar, are the 87 honourees.