86 Nigerian advocates, one academic become SANs

The new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday performed her first major official assignment as she inaugurated 86 foremost Nigerian Lawyers and on academic into the respected class of the nation’s Silk.

At the event which took place at the Supreme Court which also marked the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year of the Apex Court, the CJN vowed that obedience to court orders would not be negotiable under her watch.

According to her, no individual or institution, irrespective of their standing, would be permitted to treat judgments of court with levity or disregard.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said that the judiciary stands committed to ensuring that the sanctity of legal decisions is upheld in line with the rule of law.

The CJN argued that all hands must be on deck to foster an unwavering commitment to the full enthronement of the rule of law to achieve the new narrations.

“Disobedience to court orders or non-compliance with judicial directives is a direct affront to democracy and an invitation to anarchy.

“As such, we must respect and observe all the features of an enduring democracy, for in doing so, we maintain the delicate balance that sustains our society “.

” Let us, therefore, work together collectively and tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria continues to abide by the rule of law, upholds the best democratic practices and remains vigilant in the protection of citizens’ rights.

“The rights of every Nigerian must be valiantly safeguarded against oppression and impunity, utilising the full array of legal instruments at our disposal.

Maintaining that her appointment has brought a new dawn and era in the Nigerian judiciary, Justice Kekere-Ekun assured Nigerians of her commitment to working diligently to improve public perception of the judiciary.

According to her, ”Over the years, various factors have contributed to the negative image of the judiciary. However, we are determined to change the narrative and make the judiciary a source of pride for all Nigerians.”

“When the legal compass of a nation falters, everything suffers, including public and international perception”.

” The attitude of some of us in the justice sector is sometimes less than helpful, which has contributed to the current image deficit of the country’s legal system.

The CJN condemned some lawyers’ forum shopping, which she claimed had led to conflicting orders by courts of coordinated jurisdiction.

To address the ugly trend, the CJN vowed that there would be consequences for any act of indiscretion that could bring the judiciary to disrepute.

In his speech, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, charged the new SANs with honesty and professional standards.

He said, “To the new silks, I warmly welcome you to the inner bar. Being chosen and decorated with honour amongst your colleagues is a remarkable privilege.

“As the name of the LPPC implies, the conferment of the rank of SAN is a privilege for the deserving only. Every visionary professional strives to attain the apex of such a profession. Expectedly, the rank is being conferred on worthy advocates as a prestigious honour in recognition of their excellence in advocacy and leadership roles in law or legal practice.

“Your new and enviable status demands that you be honest and maintain professional standards at all times within and outside the courtroom towards the judex, colleagues, clients, and the public in general. You’ll need to keep a very high standard of professional conduct when you begin your duties”.

The full list of the new SANs:

1. Lateef Olaseinde Karim, Esq
2. Godwin Tagbo Ike, Esq
3. Johnson Odionu, Esq
4. Nnodim Marcellinus Duru, Esq
5. Innocent Adams Ovbagbedia, Esq
6. Soronnadi Anthony Njoku, Esq
7. Adamu Abubakar, Esq
8. Charles Oyaole Musa, Esq
9. Udochi Nunny Iheanacho, Esq
10. David Dare Onietan, Esq
11. Elele Chinatu Casmir, Esq
12. Josiah Rapuluchuks Nduka, Esq
13. Godwin Ikechukwu Obeta, Esq
14. Habeeb Orisavia Ilavbare, Esq
15. Moses Kolade Obafemi, Esq
16. Mathew Echezonam Esonanjor, Esq
17. Baba Fika Dalah, Esq
18. Babatunde Ademoye Sodipo, Esq
19. Mustapha Ikhegbe Abubakar, Esq
20. Emmanuel Ibhagbemien Esene, Esq
21. Henry Adedayo Bello, Esq
22. Boniface Chinedu Moore, Esq
23. Clement Amechi Ezika, Esq
24. Omokayode Adebayo Dada, Esq
25. Edwin Anikwem, Esq
26. Roy Ogbonnaya Umahi Nwaeze, Esq
27. Olumide Oniyire Olugbenga, Esq
28. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Esq
29. Ayoola Olufemi Ajayi, Esq
30. Paul Chukwuma Obi, Esq
31. Olasupo Dominic Ati-John, Esq
32. Cole Segun Ololade, Esq
33. Charles Ayodeji Adeogun-Phillips, Esq
34. Okechukwu Kingsley Ajunwa, Esq
35. Jacob Ocheogbu Ifere, Esq
36. Emmanuel Aderemi Adekile, Esq
37. Christopher Ehumadu Okeke, Esq
38. Oluronke Adeyemi, Esq
39. Oluwole Olawale Afolabi, Esq
40. Toboukebide Kekemeke, Esq
41. Akinbamigbe Adesomoju, Esq
42. Victor Owarienomare Odjemu, Esq
43. Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune, Esq
44. Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, Esq
45. Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim, Esq
46. Stanley Chidozie Imo, Esq
47. Charles Oladipo Titiloye, Esq
48. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Esq
49. Kingsley Chuku, Esq
50. Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi, Esq
51. Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi, Esq
52. Adedeji Sharafadeen Abdulkadir, Esq
53. Idowu Omotunde Benson, Esq
54. Kolawole James Olowookere, Esq
55. Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam, Esq
56. Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan, Esq
57. Omosanya Atilola Popoola, Esq
58. Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide, Esq
59. Emonye Oga Adekwu, Esq
60. Aderemi Oguntoye, Esq
61. Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun, Esq
62. Abdul Adamu, Esq
63. Theodore Okey Ezeobi, Esq
64. Rilwan Birnin Kebbi Umar, Esq
65. Chienye Ifeanyichukwu Okafor, Esq
66. Kaka Shehu Lawan, Esq
67. Abba Muhammed, Esq
68. Wendy Nwenenda Kuku, Esq
69. Ekele Enyinnaya Iheanacho, Esq
70. Okechukwu George Edeze, Esq
71. Akinyemi Oluwole Olujinmi, Esq
72. Gyang Yaya Zi, Esq
73. Idris Abubakar, Esq
74. George Ibrahim, Esq
75. Boonyameen Babajide Lawal, Esq
76. Terkaa Jeremiah Aondo, Esq
77. Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu, Esq
78. Uchenna Uzo Njoku, Esq
79. Paul Babatunde Daudu, Esq
80. Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, Esq
81. Yusuf F. Olatunji Ogunrinde, Esq
82. Tobechukwu Kenechukwu Nweke, Esq
83. Ademola Kamardeen Abimbola, Esq
84. Yunus Abdulsalam, Esq
85. Mofesomo Ayodeji Tayo-Oyetibo, Esq
86. Chukwuemeka Agamadodaigwe Nnawuchi, Esq

Academic 

1. Prof Ganiu Oke Adeyemi