Abia Justice Commissioner Ikechukwu Uwanna Elevated to SAN — Details Inside
Abia Justice Commissioner Ikechukwu Uwanna Elevated to SAN — Details Inside
Abia’s Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, has been named among 2025’s new Senior Advocates of Nigeria. See what this means for the state and the full SAN list.
In a historic legal milestone for Abia State, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, has officially emerged as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) — a title reserved for the most distinguished legal minds in the country.
Ikechukwu Uwanna’s elevation was confirmed during the 169th plenary session of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), held Thursday, July 18, 2025, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
The rank of SAN is the highest honour in Nigeria’s legal profession, awarded only to lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and leadership in advocacy or legal scholarship. Uwanna, an integral part of Governor Alex Otti’s reformist cabinet, is now among this elite class.
The LPPC, while unveiling the list of 57 successful applicants (56 advocates and one academic), emphasized that the process was thorough, noting that all three petitions filed against certain applicants were reviewed and dismissed for lack of merit.
Barr. Uwanna’s elevation marks a major boost to Abia State’s judicial credibility, especially under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, who has consistently championed reforms across governance sectors — particularly in transparency, rule of law, and due process.
Uwanna, known for his calm professionalism, brilliant advocacy, and unwavering integrity, has overseen sweeping legal and justice sector reforms in Abia since assuming office in 2023. His recognition as a SAN cements his role as not just a political appointee, but a seasoned legal authority with national endorsement.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new SANs, including Uwanna, is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025.
Also on the SAN list are legal luminaries like Theophilus Kolawole Esan, Ernest Ikeji, and Emeka Akabogu. The only academic selected this year is Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu.
As congratulatory messages pour in from across the state and legal community, many see Uwanna’s elevation as a reflection of Abia’s growing influence in Nigeria’s national landscape — especially under the stewardship of Governor Otti.
Below is the full list of 2025 SAN recipients:
FULL LIST OF NEWLY ELEVATED SANs
ADVOCATE APPOINTEES (In order of seniority):
Theophilus Kolawole Esan
Fedude Zimughan
Ernest Chikwendu Ikeji
Victor Esiri Akpoguma
Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze
Akintunde Wilson Adewale
Preye Agedah
Omamuzo Erebe
Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo
Olumide Ekisola
George Ejie Ukaegbu
Oromena Justice Ajakpovi
Tairu Adebayo
Bawa Akhimie Osali Ibrahim
Suleh Umar
Emeka Akabogu
Godwin Sunday Ogboji
Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya
Adeolu Olusegun Salako
Adetunji Oso
Achienike Godwin William-Wobodo
Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha
Adizua Chu-Chu Okoroafor
Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola
Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi
Adakole Edwin Inegbedu
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya
David Ogenyi Ogebe
Aminu Sani Gadanya
Oluseun Awonuga Adeniyi
Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna
Ayodeji Joseph Ademola
Kelechi Nwaiwu
Lawal Garba Hudu
Ibim Simeon Dokubo
Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa
Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi
Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada
Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun
Chinyere Ekene Moneme
Shuaibu Magaji Labaran
Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh
Augustine Enenche Audu
Ali Dussah Zubairu
Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan
Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola
Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal
Victor Agunzi
Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu
Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello
Temilolu Femi Adamolekun
Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude
Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina
Usman Yusuf Zaiyanu
Taiwo Azeez Hassan
Olufemi Olubunmi Oyewole
Academic Appointee:
Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu
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