The Legal 500

AELEX regularly acts as arbitrator in shipping-related contractual disputes, and is instructed on shipping matters by global shipping law firms and P&I clubs. The team advised Stanbic IBTC in relation to the lease of two vessels. Lawrence Fubara Anga is practice head, and Funke Adekoya and Adedapo Tunde-Olowu have extensive experience in maritime disputes.

Adepetun Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun maintains a close working relationship with shipowners, charterers, ship agents, P&I clubs, surveyors, loss adjusting firms, government parastatals and other consultants in the Nigerian and international maritime industry. The firm’s expertise spans admiralty, shipping, and international trade and marine insurance matters. Funke Agbor is highly rated.

Ajumogobia & Okeke acts in charterparty disputes, cargo claims, and carriage contracts. It recently advised a syndicate of international funders on the financing of the construction and acquisition of tanker vessels.

F.O. Akinrele & Co acts in relation to vessel sales, purchases and mortgages, admiralty litigation, charterparties, cargo recovery and defence, and ship financing, and advises shipowners, P&I clubs, charterers, shipbuilders, traders, banks and insurers. Adedolapo Akinrele is recommended.

Foundation Chambers advises on ship arrests, cargo claims, registrations and ship financing, as well as the leasing, chartering and purchase of vessels. It also handles insurance claims, admiralty cases and arbitration. Principal counsel Chidi Ilogu became a senior advocate in 2012.

McCarthy Mbadugha & Co’s maritime practice group acts in the enforcement or defence of maritime claims. It represents shipowners, shipyards, ship repairers, P&I clubs, salvors, hull, cargo interests, banks and underwriters.

Paul Usoro & Co is recommended for its experience across matters such as cargo claims, marine insurance matters, regulatory issues, ship sales, purchases and mortgages, charterparty agreements and disputes, vessel registrations, the incorporation of start-up shipping companies, and legislative advocacy on maritime policies. Mfon Ekong Usoro is the key contact.

Babajide Koku & Co is recommended for its admiralty and maritime law experience, and stands out for its dispute resolution capabilities. Name partner Babajide Koku is recommended.

Banwo & Ighodalo is ‘very efficient, offering quick responses and sensible advice, not only in legal terms, but also from a commercial point of view’. The team is experienced in admiralty, international trade and marine insurancematters, and is regularly instructed by international law firms, P&I clubs, shipowners and reinsurers. Partner-in-charge Ken Etim and Adedoyin Afun act in ship finance and multiple asset acquisition matters. Practice head Afun is ‘very amenable and well connected, and responds quickly and sensibly’.

Femi Atoyebi & Co is a specialist shipping law practice. It acts in relation to the arrest and release of ocean-going vessels, ownership disputes, bills of lading and charterparties, ship purchases and financings, vessel mortgages, pollution, salvage operations and collisions.

G. Elias & Co. recently advised Vitol on Nigerian law pertaining to a dispute involving the export of crude oil from Nigeria. Managing partner Fred Onuobia is the key contact.

Louis Mbanefo & Co’s Louis Mbanefo specialises in maritime law, and is involved in shipping litigation and in the development of maritime legislation.