Bayelsa State made history on Monday, 29 September 2025 as two of its sons, Chief Fedude Zimughan and Mr. Preye Agedah were conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
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| Governor Douye Diri with the latest SANs, Chief Fedude Zimughan and Mr. Preye Agedah at the reception ceremony. |
The honour, bestowed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, marks the first time since the state’s creation in 1996 that two indigenes would rise to the coveted silk in the same year.
Beyond the celebrations in Yenagoa led by Governor Douye Diri on Tuesday, the occasion shines a light on the personal journeys of these two legal luminaries who have devoted decades to law and public service.
Chief Fedude Zimughan, SAN
Born on 28 March 1958 in Amabulou Town, Ekeremor Local Government Area (LGA), Fedude Zimughan’s life has been a steady climb marked by diligence and service.
He began his education at LA Primary School, Amabulou (1965–1970) before moving on to Government College, Bomadi, where he completed his secondary education in 1975. A young man with a passion for justice, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating with an LL.B in 1982, and was called to the bar in 1983 after completing the Nigerian Law School programme in Lagos.
Zimughan cut his teeth in law during his NYSC posting at the Kano State Ministry of Justice, before a stint in private practice in Warri, Delta State. In October 1985, he struck out on his own, founding Fedude Zimughan & Co., a firm that has become a household name in Bayelsa and beyond.
Over the decades, Zimughan has handled cases across corporate law, property, oil and gas, maritime law, election petitions and environmental disputes. His reputation as a “people’s lawyer” has endeared him to many, especially in his Oporomo Kingdom community, where he is recognised as a leader and mentor.
Public service also features in his record. He has served as Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Environment, and Local Government under the administration of the late Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
Beyond the courtroom, Zimughan is a devout Catholic, married with four children and a grandchild. He is also an avid sportsman, with interests in tennis, table tennis and swimming.
The SAN rank, many say, is long overdue recognition for a man whose legal career spans over four decades.
Mr. Preye Agedah, SAN
For Preye Agedah, the silk adds another feather to a distinguished public service career. Agedah served as Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice, where he became a central figure in the state’s legal battles.
He represented Bayelsa in several high-profile cases, including the long-running dispute with Rivers State over ownership of the Soku oil wells. His courtroom advocacy and steady leadership at the Ministry earned him respect across the legal community.
Agedah is also a Life Bencher, a position reserved for the most senior and respected members of the Nigerian Bar. His law firm, Preye Agedah Lex, operates from Yenagoa as a full-service practice, with focus areas including corporate and commercial law, litigation, real estate, and intellectual property.
Colleagues describe him as meticulous, patient, and deeply committed to the integrity of the legal profession.
Like Governor Diri recalled during their reception, Agedah once set political history in the old Rivers State as the first chairman of the old Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) before dedicating himself fully to the law. Now, he has added another, becoming the first SAN from Kolokuma/Opokuma.
A Shared Legacy
With their elevation, Bayelsa now boasts 11 Senior Advocates, a source of pride for a state just shy of three decades old. While Zimughan represents the fourth SAN from Ekeremor, Agedah has opened the door for Kolokuma/Opokuma.
Both men’s achievements underscore the message the Governor delivered at the ceremony: that Bayelsa has the talent and capacity to produce more legal giants if its people continue to support one another.
For many young lawyers in the state, the stories of Zimughan and Agedah are proof that perseverance, integrity and excellence can indeed lead to the highest honours in the Nigerian legal profession.
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