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12 professors, Falana, Ajulo, 45 others make SAN’s shortlist

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Twelve professors have been shortlisted among the senior lawyers that made the list to be considered for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Some of the shortlisted academic applicants are Prof. John Alewo Agbonika, Prof. Osy Chukwu Chukwunyere Nwebo, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, Prof. Mohammed Lawal Ahmadu, Prof. Nathaniel Ahagbue Inegbedion, Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Prof. Babatunde Adetunji Oni, Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu,

Prof. Ganiyu Adeyemi Oke, Prof. Benedicta Lopez Daudu and Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola.

Also on the 69-man shortlist include Funmi, wife of Mr. Femi Falana (SAN); the daughter of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Mrs. Folashade Alli, Abiola Oyebanji, Bomo Agbebi and Dr. Kayode Ajulo.

On the list also are Daniel Uruakpa, Felix Offia, Lawrence Falade, Kingsley Obamogie amongst others.

This list was released by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) in Abuja on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

“The LPPC by this notice announced the shortlisting of Applicants who qualified after the Advocates 1st and 2nd Filtration Stages, Academic pre-qualification and Academic 2nd filtration Exercise.

“Also after the Independent Appeals Hearing and Chambers Inspection Exercise, preparatory to the interview stage in the process for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the successful Applicants for the year 2023.

“All qualified shortlisted Applicants are graded under two-category systems by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, namely Advocates and Academic Applicants respectively,” LPPC stated.

SHORTLISTED ADVOCATE APPLICANTS IN ORDER OF SENIORITY AT THE BAR

1 Felix Ota Offia, Esq

2 Lawrence Bankole Falade, Esq

3 Kingsley Osabuohein Obamogie, Esq

4 Folashade Abosede Alli, Esq

5 Abiola Isiaq Oyebanji, Esq

6 Bomo Olakunle Agbebi, Esq

7 Daniel Osinach Uruakpa, Esq

8 Oseloka Godwin Osuigwe, Esq

9 Babatund E Adeoye, Esq

10 Babseyi 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 Emmanue L Afolabi, Esq

17 Sule Shu’aibu, Esq

18 Abiodun Olanrewaju Olaleru, Esq

19 Alfred Olufemi Atteh, Esq

20 Kazeem Adekunl E Sobaloju, Esq

21 Shehu Wadaabdullahi, Esq

22 Bamidele Ibironke Olawoye,Esq

23 Oluwaseyilayo Akinkunmi Ojo, Esq

24 Funmi Falana, Esq

25 Felix Tamara Udenke Mefa Okorotie, Esq

26 Oluwagbenga Seun Ajayi, Esq

27 Friday Ramses Aku Onoja, Esq

28 John Agada Elachi, Esq

29 Bola Razaq Gold, Esq

30 Paul Kasimanu Wamad Uemene, Esq

31 Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, Esq

32 Oluwole Aladedoye, Esq

33 Paul Yn Osobhase Abhulimen, Esq

34 Jonathan Taidi Gunu, Esq

35 Tochukwu Jude Onyiuke, Esq

36 Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, Esq

37 Christpher Adapar Umar, Esq

38 Chibueze Ogechi Ogbonna,Esq

39 Yemi Adewale M’sbaudeen Adesina, Esq

40 Omoyemi Lateef Akangbe, Esq

41 Olumide Akin Wale Olujinmi, Esq

42 Musa Adamu Aliyu, Esq

43 Fidelis Chuk Wunonye Mbadugha, Esq

44 Onyemaechi Chkwudi Adiukwu, Esq

45 Ikechukwu Philip Onuoma, Esq

46 Yakubu Philemon, Esq

47 Johnny Ugwugwaye Agim, Esq

48 Aliyu Lemu Ibrahim, Esq

49 Isaiah Bozimo, Esq

50 Prisca Ozoiloesike, Esq

51 Yahaya Dan’asabe Dangana, Esq

52 Adeola Oluwaseun Adedipe, Esq

53 Adedayo Samue Ladedeji, Esq

54 Chikaosolu Ojukwu, Esq

55 Musaahmed Attah, Esq

56 Ayotunde Foluso Ogunleye, Eso

57 Olayemi Badewole, Esq

SHORTLISTED ACADEMIC APPLICANTS IN ORDER OF SENIORITY AT THE BAR

58 Prof. John Alewo Agbonika

59 Prof. Osy Chukwu Chukwunyere Nwebo

60 Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule

61 Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri

62 Prof. Mohammed Lawal Ahmadu

63 Prof. Nathaniel Ahagbue Inegbedion

64 Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo

65 Prof. Babatunde Adetunji Oni

66 Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu

67 Prof. Ganiyu Adeyemi Oke

68 Prof. Benedicta Lopez Daudu

69 Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola

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Judiciary

Nnamdi Kanu Opts to Defend Himself as Legal Team Withdraws from Trial

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Nnamdi-Kanu
Nnamdi Kanu
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A dramatic twist unfolded on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, announced that he would represent himself in court following the withdrawal of his entire legal team.

Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates had stepped down from the case, stating that Kanu had decided to “take back his case.”

Confirming the development, Kanu told the presiding judge, “I will be representing myself for now. That might change later.” When asked if he wanted the court to assign a lawyer to him, he declined.

Speaking directly before the bench, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to continue with the case against him. His submission formed part of an oral argument he personally presented—a rare occurrence in such a high-profile criminal trial.

The development marks a new phase in the long-running case, which has faced multiple adjournments and legal battles since Kanu’s arrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021.

Kanu faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences. Legal observers say his decision to conduct his own defence could significantly affect the direction and tempo of the trial in the coming weeks.

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Judiciary

Natasha Files Objections to FG’s Criminal Defamation Suit

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, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed preliminary objections before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, contesting criminal defamation charges instituted against her by the Federal Government.

The senator described the case as an abuse of power and a calculated attempt at political persecution, alleging that the charges arose from petitions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN; Dr. E. West-Idahosa, SAN; J.J. Usman, SAN; and M.J. Numa, SAN—argued that the prosecutions are unconstitutional and aimed at silencing opposition voices rather than advancing public interest or national security.

The lawyers tendered exhibits indicating that the senator’s comments were part of legitimate public discourse and media commentary. They further contended that the Attorney-General of the Federation lacks the legal standing to prosecute defamation cases on behalf of private individuals.

According to the defence, defamation is a civil matter and criminalizing it amounts to intimidation, suppression of free speech, and misuse of the justice system.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused authorities of selective justice, stating that while her own petitions over threats to her life were ignored, complaints from her political rivals were quickly acted upon. She maintained that this amounts to discriminatory prosecution in violation of Section 42 of the Constitution.

Her lawyers urged the courts to dismiss the cases at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing them to proceed would erode public confidence in the justice system and waste national resources.

 

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Judiciary

Court Freezes Four Bank Accounts Linked to Ex-NNPC Boss Kyari Over ₦661m Fraud Allegation

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Mele Kyari
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, over alleged involvement in a ₦661.4 million fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that the accounts were under investigation in connection with conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The anti-graft agency said preliminary findings revealed the accounts, allegedly controlled by Kyari through family members and associates, received suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies.

According to the EFCC, the funds—spread across four Jaiz Bank accounts in the names of Mele Kyari and Guwori Community Development Foundation—were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation.

The judge held that the application was meritorious and adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report.

 

 

 

 

 

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