Our Services
The firm has handled a variety of legal briefs with a bias for corporate, commercial and property matters;
COMPANY LAW/COMMERCIAL LAW/FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
The firm has been involved in the negotiation and conclusion of several International Agreements, including Joint Venture, Agency, Technical Assistance, Sale, Consultancy, Share Purchase Agreements, Shareholders Agreements, Letters of Intent, Non-disclosure Agreements and so forth too numerous to mention.
Specifically, with regard to foreign investment and divestment, we have offered legal services at start-up stage and subsequently ensured that our clients were in compliance with relevant statutes and regulations. We have also maintained a good working relationship with the relevant government ministries and bodies.
The firm has been involved in proceedings relating to questions of loss/short landing of goods and damage to the ship, hull and so forth arising out of contracts of carriage of goods by sea, inspection and certification issues.
BANKING LAW AND CORPORATE FINANCE TRANSACTIONS
We have prepared various loan, security and collateral management documentation as well as proffered legal opinions and conducted due diligence investigations. We have participated in the project financing of two companies on a retainer basis. We are experienced in matters of banking regulation and financial institutions’ statutory compliance and we have a good relationship with the department of Banks and other Financial Institutions of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In 2004, on a Public Offering of Shares, we acted as Solicitors to the Offer for Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.; the bank was one of the top four in 2004.
PROPERTY LAW
The firm acts on behalf of many concerns and individuals, regarding the vetting, preparation and perfection of all documents relating to property transactions throughout Nigeria; legal assistance has also been rendered to private property development/tourism concerns on a retainer basis. We consider ourselves experts in this field of law.
OIL AND GAS LAW/ENERGY LAW
We have practical experience in oil and gas law and the Bonny Island liquefied natural gas project, on behalf of a Contractor from pre-bid to implementation stages. We have also provided consultancy and advisory services on environmental, community assistance, safety and health issues. We have advised on the legal issues involved in oil storage and transportation and been privy to meetings held between a major client of ours and a Government body, on the control and quality assurance aspects of this subject. We are knowledgeable on matters pertaining to the supply and distribution of energy and gas and are sufficiently conversant on the relevant documentation on such projects. On a more general note, we are increasingly being called upon to participate as part of the team, for special infrastructural projects in many key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
We have handled matters covering searches to licensing and the registration of trademarks, designs, copyright and patents and the general protection of proprietary interests and litigation that arises from such infringement, in all its ramifications.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW
We are very competent on Information Technology Law as it applies to its surrounding intellectual property, contract, outsourcing and labour issues. We are also sufficiently knowledgeable on matters to do with its spin-off statutory and regulatory issues vis-à-vis Telecommunications Law.
LABOUR LAW
The firm considers itself an expert on labour matters. We have had direct dealings with trade unions, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, the Industrial Arbitration Panel and the National Industrial Court, in resolving disputes.
INSURANCE LAW-
The firm has handled the insurance portfolio of one of its high net worth clients over the past few years and is fully conversant with various types of policies (up to 14), which were undertaken to cover the exposure of the said client.
LITIGATION
We handle commercial and non-commercial litigation. Debt-recovery being a forte of ours, we have played a key role in winning court actions involving bank debts as well as in detinue and damages, for the Tractor and Equipment Division of UAC PLC involving huge equipment such as generating sets and outstanding hire charges.
COMPANY SECRETARIAL PRACTICE
The firm has acted as company secretary to several concerns, including a multi-national based in 141 countries worldwide. Our responsibilities have included attending Board and Annual General Meetings, share capital issues, filing of returns as mandated by the relevant statutes and regulations, maintaining the companies’ registers and statutory books and liaising with auditors and other corporate governance issues.
LEGAL ADVISERS
We have worked for private and corporate clients both nationally and internationally and have also acted as external legal advisers to the following organisations and concerns:
Union Bank of Nigeria PLC., United Bank for Africa PLC., Intercontinental Bank PLC., Guaranty Trust Bank PLC., The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, National Oil & Chemical Marketing Company PLC, Nicotec (Italian) a sister company to Cedar Eagle Limited in the oil and gas field, Texaco Limited, UAC of Nigeria PLC., GM Nigeria Limited, Lever Brothers of Nigeria PLC., SGS Inspection Services Nigeria Limited (an affiliate of SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance S. A. of Geneva, Switzerland). In recent years, we have developed a growing clientele involving high net worth closely-held companies and family businesses. We have also done pro bono work for some concerns including a foreign embassy wanting commercial information for the use of foreign investors wishing to establish business in Nigeria and part of which information was subsequently posted on their website.