The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned 68 newly elevated Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) against soliciting or encouraging congratulatory advertisements and goodwill messages over their conferment, cautioning that violations of professional conduct rules could attract sanctions.
The warning accompanied the formal swearing-in of the 68 legal practitioners at the 2026/2027 Legal Year ceremony, following their approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) about three months ago.
The committee, chaired by Kekere-Ekun, approved the recipients at its 174th plenary session, recognising 67 advocates and one academic for their professional achievements and contributions to legal scholarship.
A statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, Kabir Eniola, identified Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri as the only academic among the recipients, honoured for his contributions to legal scholarship.
The LPPC reminded the newly elevated SANs of the provisions of paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023, which regulate publicity surrounding the conferment.
It warned the recipients against publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices relating to their nomination or elevation, stressing that breaches could attract disciplinary consequences.
The caution places professional restraint and compliance with ethical standards among the immediate obligations confronting the new members of the prestigious rank, which is one of the highest distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession.
The SAN rank is conferred on legal practitioners who satisfy established standards of professional excellence in advocacy or legal scholarship.
Before the conferment, the LPPC had also stipulated that successful applicants must participate in and complete a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced later.
