By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The legal profession witnessed the swelling in number of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who were sworn in and decorated in their new ranks as Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday November 27.
The prestigious ceremony was held at the Supreme Court of Nigeria Abuja where they were administered oath by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Fifty eight applicants comprising 57 advocates and one academic who were finally selected from 69 applicants were conferred with the title of SAN.
Among the recipients of the SAN are Funmi Falana, wife of Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Babatunde Adetunji Oni of Unilag and Tochukwu Jude Onyiuke.Esq.
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Full list of lawyers decorated with the rank of SAN on Monday November 27, 2023 are:
- FELIX OTA OFFIA, ESQ
2. LAWRENCE BANKOLE FALADE, ESQ
3. KINGSLEY OSABUOHIEN OBAMOGIE, ESQ
4. FOLASHADE ABOSEDE ALLI, ESQ - ABIOLA ISIAQ OYEBANJI, ESQ
6. BOMO OLAKUNLE AGBEBI, ESQ
7. DANIEL OSINACH URUAKPA , ESQ
8. OSELOKA GODWIN OSUIGWE, ESQ
9. BABATUNDE ADEOYE, ESQ
10.BABASEYI SIGISMUND JOSEPH, ESQ
11.EMMANUEL MOSES ENOIDEM, ESQ
12.KEHINDE OLUFEMI AINA, ESQ
13.NGOZI CHIDO OLEHI, ESQ
14.AARON CHILEOKWU OKOROMA, ESQ
15.IBRAHIM DALHATU ANGULU, ESQ
16.OLAYIWOLA EMMANUEL AFOLABI, ESQ
17.SULE SHU’AIBU, ESQ
18.ABIODUN OLANREWAJU OLALERU, ESQ
19.ALFRED OLUFEMI ATTEH, ESQ
20.KAZEEM ADEKUNLE SOBALOJU, ESQ
21.SHEHU WADA ABDULLAHI, ESQ
22.BAMIDELE OLAWOYE IBIRONKE, ESQ
23.OLUWASEYILAYO AKINKUNMI OJO, ESQ
24.FUNMI FALANA, ESQ
25.FELIX TAMARAUDENKEMEFA OKOROTIE, ESQ
26.SEUN OLUWAGBENGA AJAYI, ESQ
27.FRIDAY RAMSES AKU ONOJA, ESQ
28.AGADA JOHN ELACHI, ESQ
29.BOLA RASAQ GOLD, ESQ
30.PAUL KASIMANWUNA MADUEMENE, ESQ
31.RAFIU OYEYEMI BALOGUN, ESQ
32.OLUWOLE ALADEDOYE, ESQ
33.PAULYN OSOBHASE ABHULIMEN, ESQ
34.JONATHAN GUNU TAIDI, ESQ
35.TOCHUKWU JUDE ONYIUKE, ESQ
36.OLUKAYODE ABRAHAM AJULO, ESQ
37.CHRISTOPHER ADAPAR UMAR, ESQ
38.CHIBUEZE OGECHI OGBONNA, ESQ
39.YEMI ADEWALE M’SBAUDEEN ADESINA, ESQ
40.OMOYEMI LATEEF AKANGBE, ESQ
41.OLUMIDE AKINWALE OLUJINMI, ESQ.
42.MUSA ADAMU ALIYU, ESQ
43.FIDELIS CHUKWUNONYE MBADUGHA ESQ
44.ONYEMAECHI CHUKWUDI ADIUKWU, ESQ
45.IKECHUKWU PHILIP ONUOMA, ESQ
46.YAKUBU PHILEMON, ESQ
47.JOHNNY UNGWUGWAYE AGIM, ESQ.
48.ALIYU LEMU IBRAHIM, ESQ
49.ISAIAH BOZIMO, ESQ
50.PRISCA OZOILESIKE, ESQ
51.YAHAYA DAN’ASABE DANGANA, ESQ
52.ADEDAYO SAMUEL ADEDEJI, ESQ
53.ADEDIPE OLUWASEUN ADEOLA, ESQ
54.CHIKAOSOLU OJUKWU, ESQ
55.MUSA AHMED ATTAH, ESQ
56.AYOTUNDE FOLUSO OGUNLEYE, ESQ
57.OLAYEMI BADEWOLE, ESQ
58.PROF. BABATUNDE ADETUNJI ONI., the only academic from Unilag.
With these new SANs, the number of Senior Advocates of Nigeria from inception in April 3, 1975 with late Chief F. R. A Williams as first Senior Advocate of Nigeria to November 27, 2023 is 741.
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES
In a congratulatory message to the newly inaugurated SANs, Mazi Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) felicitated with the new Silks. In his message to them he said:
“Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you on the momentous occasion of being conferred with the distinguished rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria
“The conferment of the silk represents not only a recognition of your exceptional legal acumen but also a solemn responsibility entrusted upon your shoulders.
“As Senior Advocates of Nigeria, you are now torchbearers of justice, tasked with upholding the highest standards of the legal profession.
“The role you play in the delivery of justice and the observance of the rule of law is paramount. It is a responsibility that demands unwavering commitment, ethical conduct, and an unyielding dedication to the principles that underpin our legal system. As leaders in the legal community, you are not only advocates for your clients but guardians of the integrity of our justice system.
“Your elevation is not merely a personal achievement but a collective affirmation of the legal community’s trust in your ability to contribute meaningfully to the administration of justice. The robe of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria carries with it the weight of history, and I implore you to wear it with humility, recognizing the immense privilege and duty it entails
Afam Osigwe charged the new Silk that in their pursuit of justice, they should strive for fairness, equity, and the protection of fundamental rights, and to be vigilant in upholding the rule of law, even in the face of challenges
“Your actions will serve as a beacon for others, inspiring confidence in the legal system and reinforcing the principles that form its bedrock.
He asked them to remember that the power bestowed upon them is not just for personal advancement but for the greater good of society.
“Let your advocacy be marked by integrity, professionalism, and a tireless commitment to the pursuit of justice.
“Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved honor. May your journey as Senior Advocates of Nigeria be marked by continued excellence, and may your contributions leave an indelible mark on the legal landscape.
Also congratulating the new SANs on their swearing in, a Benin based Legal Practitioner and Human Rights Activists, Oaikhena Osagie (KSP) sent his goodwill message to Messrs K.O.Obamogie, Olayiwola Afolabi, Jonathan Gunu Taidi, and others on their swearing in as Senior Advocates Of Nigeria by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“I am particularly happy that these great legal tzars whose prowess and contribution in the field of law can be read in our law reports and legal articles within and outside Nigeria. It is my hope that this great honour bestowed on them will meet them in better health, and more zest to contribute to the development of the Law. It is a thing to thank God almighty for and may they continually wear the Noble Silk in dignity and courage .
A corporate entity, Aishaba Ltd also sent hearty congratulatory remarks to the just conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
It says: “Congratulations to the newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
“Your hard work and excellence in the legal profession have truly set you apart.
“Aishaba Ltd joins in celebrating this well-deserved achievement. May your journey continue to be marked by success and impactful contributions to the legal field. Cheers to your distinguished accomplishments!