The Legal 500

Nigeria > Shipping

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Shipping
  2. Leading individuals

Leading individuals

    • Funke Agbor – Adepetun Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun
    • Adedolapo Akinrele – F.O. Akinrele & Co
    • Chidi Ilogu – Foundation Chambers
    • Mfon Ekong Usoro – Paul Usoro & Co

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.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments worldwide

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • Jersey Royal Court considers measure of damages for dilapidations claims

    In the absence of any statutory provision in Jersey addressing how dilapidations claims are to be quantified, the Royal Court's decision in JSSL v Barclays has provided some much needed guidance, particularly in circumstances where there is an acceptance that works to redress dilapidations have not been and will not be carried out.
    - Ogier

  • English Supreme Court rules on Mistake and Hastings Bass

    On 9 May 2013 the English Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment on the seminal cases of Pitt-v- Holt and Futter -v- Futter , with Lord Walker's valedictory judgment conclusively resolving the English position on the rule in Hastings Bass and rescission on the ground of mistake.
    - Ogier

  • Getting the breaks

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - Falcon Chambers

  • Product liability and dietary supplements

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP

  • The calm before 
the storm: are 
you prepared for 
a dawn raid?

    WilmerHale currently authors the Fraud and Corporate Crime section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - WilmerHale

  • International shipment of waste: transporters beware

    Burges Salmon LLP currently authors the Environment and Energy section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here
    - Burges Salmon LLP

  • Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

    Cyprus is the third most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Traditionally Cyprus has always been at the heart of the seafaring trade and therefore always functioned as an important centre for trade and commerce. Today as a member of the European Union it remains an optimal business base. It is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments worldwide. Foreign companies have been given the opportunity to invest and establish business in Cyprus on equal terms with local investors as no distinction is made between foreign and Cypriot companies.
    - Michael Kyprianou & Co

  • FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

    The excellent support system in combination with the ideal jurisdiction provided in Cyprus set the country in the list of the most desirable countries through which you can offer foreign exchange operations. In addition, the accession of Cyprus within the European Union and, most importantly, the extremely beneficial economic advantages available due to the low costs and the outstanding taxation, create a covetable environment for foreign investors.
    - Michael Kyprianou & Co

  • National public order. Adoption of the Draft

    The Presidium of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter - SCC RF) adopted by the Informative Letter No. 156 dated the 26th of February, 2013 (hereinafter - the Informative Letter) on Review of the consideration by arbitrazh courts of the cases on the implementation of the public order clause as the ground for rejection of the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court decisions and arbitral awards.
    - Lidings Law Firm

  • China Customs New Interpretation

    For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.
    - Haoliwen Partners

Press Releases worldwide

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2013 www.legal500.com