CJN swears in 57 senior advocates of Nigeria, calls for renewed commitment to justice
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday, administered the oath of office to 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), marking a significant milestone in the country’s legal calendar.
The ceremony, held at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja, coincided with the special court session to herald the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
Among those elevated was Adedayo Adesina, co-founder of Oyewole & Adesina, a reform advocate and legal practitioner whose 15-year career has been distinguished by excellence in advocacy, judicial reforms, and public service.
In her address, Justice Kekere-Ekun described the SAN conferment as more than an honorary recognition, but a solemn call to service.
She urged the new appointees to uphold the dignity of the title, warning that the privilege could be withdrawn if abused.
“This occasion is not merely a celebration of time passing, but a call to take stock, reflect on our challenges and achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals of justice, fairness, and service to the Nigerian people,” the CJN said.
The CJN also used the session to honour the memory of four eminent jurists who passed away during the last legal year, including former Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and three retired Supreme Court justices.
She praised their “unwavering commitment to justice” and extended condolences to their families, as well as to the families of judicial staff lost during the year.
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted key reforms achieved in the judiciary over the past year to included all pending petitions before the National Judicial Council (NJC) were concluded, with sanctions imposed where necessary.
According to her, frivolous petitioners and errant lawyers faced disciplinary actions, while wrongly accused judges were cleared.
She also noted that case management systems were streamlined, records digitized, and a new Court Records Processing Unit established to curb the problem of missing files.
She further noted that a Central Information Unit and Case Continuation Unit now enables lawyers and litigants to track case progress with greater ease.
On judicial output, she disclosed that the Supreme Court heard 2,280 matters, including 560 appeals, and delivered 369 judgments, a significant improvement over the 247 judgments delivered in the previous year.
The CJN also reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to the anti-corruption fight, noting that the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) continued to collaborate with agencies such as the EFCC, which secured 1,417 convictions in 2025, and the ICPC, which initiated 43 new cases and recorded nine convictions.
One of the notable appointees, Adedayo Adesina, has carved a reputation as a reform advocate and practitioner of repute.
Born in Kano to the late Engr. Gbadebo Timothy Adesina and the late Mrs. Funmilayo Oluwatoyin Adesina, he hails from Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Adedayo graduated top of his class from the University of Jos in 2008, was called to the Bar in 2009, and later obtained an LL.M. in Banking and Finance Law from the University of London.
He built his career in top law firms including Dele Olaniyan & Co., Templars, and Wole Olanipekun & Co., before co-founding Oyewole & Adesina, where he currently serves as Managing Partner.
He played a key role in reform initiatives under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), including drafting the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (Omnibus Bill) and creating Practice Directions for Small Claims Courts — reforms that have enhanced access to justice and improved Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
Adedayo’s contributions earned recognition from former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He is also a Notary Public, a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, and an active member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and BRIPAN.
To mark his elevation, a reception in Adedayo’s honour will be held at the Centre Point Event Centre, Maitama, Abuja.
The event will draw dignitaries including the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chairman of the Body of SANs, Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu (SAN), and NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN).
The elevation of Adedayo and the 56 other legal luminaries is widely viewed as a recognition of their exceptional contributions to the legal profession and their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s justice system.
