CJN swears in 68 new Senior Advocates as 2026/2027 legal year begins

At the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja, a formal admission ceremony took place on Monday. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria's Chief Justice, oversaw the proceedings.

During this event, 68 legal practitioners were admitted to the Inner Bar. These elevations had received approval from the Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee during its 174th session held in July.

Launching the 2026/2027 legal year formed part of the activities surrounding this admission. Among those newly elevated were 67 advocates alongside Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

The professor, an academic, gained recognition for his contributions to legal scholarship. Beginning with Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, the roster of advocates followed seniority of call.

All these practitioners now qualify to take silk and carry the Senior Advocate designation. During the ceremony, Nigeria's Chief Justice conveyed important instructions to the newly admitted professionals.

Upholding ethical standards and professional conduct became their key obligation. Members of the country's legal elite must maintain these requirements.

Established procedures governed this elevation: evaluation by the Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee preceded the Chief Justice's formal admission of each candidate. For Nigeria's legal profession, this intake represents significant development.

An exclusive body of legal professionals now includes these newly elevated practitioners. They have satisfied the committee's rigorous requirements for admission to the Inner Bar.

Their designation as Senior Advocates grants them formal eligibility to use the 'SAN' title in their professional work.