The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has selected 98 lawyers from a pool of applicants seeking the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by 2024.
Shortlisted applicants will now move on to the second stage of the selection process, which includes interviews and review of any requests that the public may submit regarding them.
The candidates include the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulkarim Kana, and former National Office bearers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA): Monday Ubani, Kunle Edun and Rapulu Nduka.
The list also includes the Legal Adviser of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wendy Kuku, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Terkaa Aondo, and the Chairman of the Bwari branch of the NBA, Paul Daudu.
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Sarki-Bello, published the list in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ms Sarki-Bello said that “the publication of the names of shortlisted applicants is not an indication of their success in the process.”
Instead, he said, it was published to invite the public “to comment on the integrity, reputation and competence of the listed applicants.”
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He added that complainants must submit 20 copies of their petitions accompanied by an affidavit made by the complainant before a high court of record in Nigeria or before a notary public.
Among the 98 shortlisted lawyers, 87 belong to the lawyer category and 11 to the academic category.
The shortlisted lawyers are as follows:
1. Lateef Karim, Esq.2. 3. Godwin Ike, Esq. Johnson Odionu, Esq.4. 5. Nnodim Duru, Esq. Inocencio Ovbagbedia, Esq.6. 7. Soronnadi Njoku, Esq. 8. Adamu Abubakar, Esq. Charles Musa, Esq.9. Udochi Iheanacho, Esq.10. David Onietan, Esq.11. Elele Casmir, Esq.12. Josiah Nduka, Esq.13. Godwin Obeta, Esq.14. 15. Habeeb Ilavbare, Esq. Moses Obafemi, Esq.16. Mathew Esonanjor, Esq.17. Baba Dalah, Esq.18. Babatunde Sodipo, Esq.19. Mustapha Abubakar, Esq.20. Emmanuel Esene, Esq.21. Henry Bello, Esq.22. Boniface Moore, Esq.23. Clemente Ezika, Esq.24. Omokayode Dada, Esq.25. Edwin Anikwem, Esq.26. Roy Nwaeze, Esq.27. Olumide Olugbenga, Esq.28. Monday Ubani, Esq.29. Ayoola Ajayi, Esq.30. Paul Obi, Esq.31. Olasupo Ati-John, Esq.32. Cole Ololade, Esq.33. Charles Adeogun-Phillips, Esq.34. Okechukwu Ajunwa, Esq.35. Jacob Ifere, Esq.36. Emmanuel Adekile, Esq.37. Christopher Okeke, Esq.38. Waziri Mamman, Esq.39. Oluronke Adeyemi, Esq.40. Oluwole Olawale Afolabi, Esq.41. Toboukebide Kekemeke, Esq.42. Akinbamigbe Adesomoju, Esq.43. Victor Owarienomare Odjemu, Esq.44. Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune, Esq.45. Edun Olukunle Ogheneovo, Esq.46. Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim, Esq.47. Stanley Chidozie Imo, Esq.48. Charles Oladipo Titiloye, Esq.49. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Esq.50. Kingsley Chuku, Esq.51. 52. Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi, Esq. Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi, Esq.53. Adedeji Sharafadeen Abdulkadir, Esq.54. Idowu Omotunde Benson, Esq.55. 56. Kolawole James Olowookere, Esq. Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam, Esq.57. Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan, Esq.58. Omosanya Atilola Popoola, Esq.59. Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide, Esq.60. 61. Emonye Oga Adekwu, Esq. Aderemi Oguntoye, Esq.62. 63. Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun, Esq. Abdul Adamu, Esq.64. Teodoro Ezeobi, Esq.65. Rilwan Umar, Esq.66. Chienye Okafor, Esq.67. Lawyer Kaka Lawan 68. Abba Muhammed, Esq.69. Wendy Kuku, Esq.70. Ekele Iheanacho, Esq.71. Okechukwu Edeze, Esq.72. Akinyemi Olujinmi, Esq.73. Gyang Yaya Zi, Esq.74. Idris Abubakar, Esq.75. George Ibrahim, Esq.76. 77. Boonyameen Lawal, Esq. Terkaa Aondo, Esq.78. Tochukwu Tochukwu, Esq.79. Uchenna Njoku, Esq.80. Paul Daudu, Esq.81. Chukwudi Enebeli, Esq.82. Yusuf Ogunrinde, Esq.83. Tobechukwu Nweke, Esq.84. Ademola Abimbola, Esq.85. Yunus Abdulsalam, Esq.86. Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, Esq.87. Chukwuemeka Nnawuchi, Esq.
Shortlisted academic applicants:
1. Professor John Agbonika2. Professor Osy Nwebo3. Professor Nlerum Okogbule4. 5. Professor Nnamdi Obiaraeri. Professor Nathaniel Inegbedion6. Professor Collins Obioma7. Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo8. Prof. Agustin Agom9. 10. Professor Ibrahim Abikan. Professor Chima Ubanyionwu11. Professor Ganiyu Oke
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Each year, the Supreme Court swears in successful candidates during the new legal year ceremony. The LPPC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, is responsible for awarding this prestigious rank to deserving lawyers each year.