AELEX > Lagos, Nigeria > Firm Profile
AELEX Offices
4TH FLOOR, MARBLE HOUSE
1 KINGSWAY ROAD , FALOMO-IKOYI
LAGOS
Nigeria
AELEX > The Legal 500 Rankings
Nigeria > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
With a solid track record in handling instructions from the oil and gas, infrastructure, and technology sectors, AELEX also acts for sizeable private equity funds as buyers and sellers. Well known for his tax expertise, practice head Theophilus Emuwa advises on corporate governance, M&A, and joint ventures. Chinyerugo Ugoji is experienced in handling share and asset acquisitions, and Onyinyechi Chima represents development finance institutions. Tiwalola Osazuwa handles foreign investment matters. Chioma Olibie  has left the firm.Practice head(s):
Theophilus Emuwa
Other key lawyers:
Chinyerugo Ugoji; Tiwalola Osazuwa; Onyinyechi Chima; Peretimi Pere
Key clients
CNOOC E&P Ltd
The Coca-Cola Company
Total Nigeria Plc
Oppenheimer Partners Limited
Justrite Limited
UpGrad
Kasada Albatross Holdings Limited
Mastercard
Development Partners International
Tiger Brands Limited
Petrobras
SAP Africa
KLM Line Maintenance International
The Rise Fund Management LLC (an affiliate of TPG Global LLC)
Lufthansa
Shoprite Holdings
Chevron Nigeria Limited
Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited
Azura Power West Africa Limited
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited
Mammoet
AFEX Commodities Exchange Nigeria Limited
Adam Smith International
Interswitch Limited
British Telecommunications
Mars/Wrigley
Dangote Oil Refining Company Limited
Kedari Capital Limited
Reckitt Benckiser
De La Rue Commercial Services Limited
Lekoil Limited
SBM offshore
Grand Towers Limited
Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc
Nigeria > Energy and natural resources Tier 1
With an excellent track record in advising on infrastructure matters relating to power plants, ports, and railways, the practice at AELEX is often instructed by investors in domestic energy transactions. With over four decades of experience, Soji Awogbade leads the team and has established expertise in advising clients on the development, distribution, transmission and distribution of gas and power. Olusina Sipasi and Raymond Ofagbor are key names for handling project finance and environmental issues, and Temiloluwa Fakolade brings expertise in assisting with large energy-focused transactions. Wendy Nwogu is also highlighted.Practice head(s):
Soji Awogbade
Other key lawyers:
Olusina Sipasi; Raymond Ofagbor; Temiloluwa Fakolade; Wendy Nwogu; Merit Okafor
Key clients
Federal Ministry of Power
Lekoil Limited
All Grace Energy Nigeria Limited
Channeldrill Resources Limited
ADDAX Petroleum
CNOOC
Shelf Drilling
Groupe TCA Internationale SA
Mobil Petroleum Nigeria (Unlimited)
Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited
Blue Power Energy
Modandola Group
Honeywell Group Limited
SDP Services Limited
Rusal
Dangote Oil Refining Company Ltd
GZ Industries Limited
Iron Horse Real Estate Limited
Thome Group
Nigeria > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
At AELEX, the ;'exceptional' team’s workload includes aviation and maritime acquisition financings, IPOs, project finance and oil and gas acquisition finance matters. With over two decades of experience in the space, Lawrence Fubara Anga advises banks and financial institutions on a broad spectrum of transactional and regulatory issues. Sina Sipasi is adept at advising sponsors and lenders on acquisition finance matters in the petroleum sector. Chinyerugo Ugoji, Hannah Ozieme, and Merit Okafor specialize in capital markets. Temiloluwa Fakolade is well regarded for his expertise in corporate financing.Practice head(s):
Lawrence Fubara Anga
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team’s strengths include in-depth understanding of the Nigerian capital markets space, accurate interpretation of proposed transaction structures in legal documents, and a quick turnaround time.’
‘The team was generally exceptional. Temiloluwa Fakolade’s good judgement, in-depth knowledge, and patience was appreciated.’
Key clients
EMTS (Etisalat)
Keystone Bank
Nigerian Stock Exchange
Securities Solutions Limited
Emerging Markets Payment West Africa Limited
PayU Payments Nigeria Limited (Naspers/MIH affiliated company)
Sentinel Exploration & Production Company Ltd
Vitol SA
African Development Bank
Debevoise Plimpton
Cedar Consortium
Ecobank Nigeria Limited
FBN Capital Limited
Dangote Cement Plc
AFEX Commodities Exchange
Callphone Limited
Clickatell Nigeria Limited
Grand Towers PLC
AFEX Investment Limited
Sproutpay Limited
Piggytech Global Limited
Eagle Global Markets
CSL Stockbrokers Limited
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
CSL Pay Limited
The Shecluded Company Limited
Abeg Technologies Limited
Money Africa
The Shecluded Company Limited
Luno Fintech Nigeria Limited
Work highlights
- Advising a syndicate of banks on the refinancing of a USD750 million loan advanced to an oil and gas company.
- Acting for trustees concerning the issuance of a NGN100 billion bond issuance by a leading infrastructure company in Nigeria.
Nigeria > Dispute resolution Tier 2
AELEX advises on contentious restructuring matters, tax disputes and IP litigation, to name a few areas of expertise. Olanipekun Orewale is well versed in insolvency matters, while Perenami Momodu handles cross-border commercial disputes and arbitration. Adedapo Tunde-Olowu co-heads the disputes practice with Orewale; Ugonna Ogbuagu represents global oil and gas companies in tax disputes; and Oluwaseun Philip-Idiok is active in restructuring and insolvency litigation. Rafiq Anammah is a practitioner to note. Davidson Oturu has left the firm.Practice head(s):
Adedapo Tunde-Olowu; Olanipekun Orewale
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Easy to reach, great turnaround time, and up to date knowledge that is useful in emerging areas and the regulatory space.’
‘Response time and easy accessibility.’
Key clients
Baker Hughes
General Electric
GE International Operations Nigeria Limited
GE Oil & Gas
Embraer SA
Nokia Siemens Nigeria
Shoprite Checkers Pty Ltd of South Africa
Exxon Mobil
British American Tobacco Ltd
Sproxil Nigeria Limited
Rusal Group
Bristow Helicopters
Chevron Nigeria Limited
Rheinmetall AG
CNOOC
Food Concepts Plc
ZTE Nigeria Limited
Ecobank Nigeria Plc
ETCO Nigeria Limited
China Harbour Engineering Company Nig. Ltd
Huawei Technologies Company (Nigeria) limited
Bureau of Public Enterprises
Westfield Energy Resources Limited
TNT Management Bahrain E.C.
Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (Shoprite)
MasterCard
Systems Applications Products (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited
Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited
Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited
Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation
Xanderwill Limited
Mountlivo Limited
Nigeria > Shipping and transport Tier 2
With in-depth expertise in shipping and aviation law, the team at AELEX often acts for airlines in baggage, cargo, and passenger claims. Lawrence Fubara Anga is widely recognised for his expertise in advising on commercial litigation and arbitration; he co-heads the practice with Ngozi Efobi. Rafiq Anammah is well versed in advising on aircraft leasing and financing.Practice head(s):
Lawrence Fubara Anga; Ngozi Efobi
Other key lawyers:
Rafiq Anammah; Linda Osuagwu
Key clients
Lufthansa German Airlines
South African Airways
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
Seacor Marine
Iberia Airline
Emirates
Hapag-Lloyd Nigeria Shipping Limited
US Exim-Bank
A.P. Møller – Mærsk
AviaAM
Leasing AB
Ghana > Energy
AELEX's thriving energy practice is led by Soji Awogbade, and works in combination with its Nigerian practice in handling a wide array of matters, including energy and utilities finance, M&A and joint ventures. The group is also instructed in electricity and gas transmission, distribution and supply, power purchase, off-take and tolling arrangements. Kwesi Dodi has a wealth of experience in advising on petroleum sector issues, including assisting with regulatory matters in the sector. Naa Asheley Ashittey advises oil and gas companies on corporate governance matters.Practice head(s):
Soji Awogbade
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Rowan Rigs
Bristow Helicopters Ghana Limited
GOS Limited
SBM Offshore
TecAfrica Ghana Limited
Acteon Ghana Limited
Valaris
Work highlights
- Advised Valaris on the formation of a joint venture company to undertake projects in the exploration industry.
- Advised Rowan Standard on obtaining exploration permits and licenses.
Ghana > Commercial, corporate and M&A
With Theophilus Emuwa at the helm, AELEX's skilled team is adept at handling a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. Key areas of instruction for the group include foreign investment matters, transferability of shares, company secretarial services, and corporate compliance and regulatory issues. Other key names to note include Lawrence Fubara Anga and managing associate Kwesi Dodi.Practice head(s):
Theophilus Emuwa
Other key lawyers:
Lawrence Fubara Anga; Kwesi A. Dodi; Naa Asheley Ashittey
Testimonials
‘The practice are very responsive and supportive with matters.’
‘Naa Asheley Ashittey is professional and very responsive to emails.’
‘Very professional and diligent. They are able to work with strict timelines.’
‘They have great individual interpersonal and communication skills. They exhibit a great understanding of our needs and work with us through our contracts with third parties.’
‘Aelex Team always provide us with accurate and to the point advice, pragmatic and manageable.’
‘All members of Aelex in contact with our company speak good English and are punctual and accurate in their responses. Further, they are always ready to answer follow-up questions if necessary and they understand well the needs of our company.’
Key clients
Rowan Standard
Palladium International LLC
TecAfrica Offshore Limited
Brussels Airlines
James Fisher and Sons Plc
Partners Worldwide
Partners in Performance
South African Airways
Lufthansa Cargo AG
Park Agrotech
Swiss Singapore PTE
AGRI Insight Trading LTD
AELEX > Firm Profile
The firm: AELEX was established in 2004 through the merger of the practice of a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and three other leading commercial law firms in Nigeria. The firm is currently headed by Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, the managing partner.
The firm’s practice covers corporate and commercial legal services which include transactional, regulatory and policy matters; and litigation and dispute resolution services in the corporate and commercial arena, as well as private clients.
Since 2009, when AELEX was recognised as the most outstanding law firm in Nigeria, it has continued to win awards and recognitions for quality of work and service from globally renowned ranking stables. The firm remains resolute in setting footprints for building a practice committed to developing local and international expertise, acquiring relevant skills and competences. AELEX stays abreast of local and international trends while maintaining global standards.
AELEX has seven partners and over 50 lawyers operating from its various offices. Lawyers in the firm are admitted to practice in several jurisdictions including Nigeria, Ghana and England and Wales. In addition to qualifying in law, lawyers in the firm have qualifications in disciplines such as political science, economics and engineering. The firm’s lawyers have developed specialist skills and have gained a significant deal of experience from their involvement in transactions and projects. The firm’s local knowledge and its regular interaction with key players in the sectors it operates in allow it to structure its advice on projects and transactions in anticipation of, and consistent with, changes in policy and regulation.
Areas of practice: AELEX has provided legal advisory services on major transactions and projects from across several of its practice areas. The firm merges local legal expertise and presence, political and industry-wide connections with an appreciation of global standards and demands. The firm’s expertise covers legal, regulatory and policy issues as well as commercial, fiscal and environmental matters.
AELEX has earned a reputation for excellent work in various practice areas including corporate/commercial, taxation, labour and employment, real estate, capital markets, foreign direct investment, intellectual property, telecommunications, banking and finance, litigation and dispute resolution, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, environment, and aviation. AELEX is therefore a recognised leader in providing legal services to meet the expanding and increasingly complex requirements of clients.
Clients of the firm are predominantly multinational companies including telecommunication companies, oil and gas companies, oil servicing companies, EPC contractors, project owners, banks and multilateral lenders, insurance companies, trading and manufacturing conglomerates, airlines and shipping lines. The firm advises foreign embassies, multilateral agencies, non-governmental organisations, and chambers of commerce. The firm also provides legal advisory services to professional colleagues in Europe, Asia, the US and other African countries who require advice on Nigerian law.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Aviation | L Fubara Anga | lfanga@aelex.com | |
Banking and finance | L Fubara Anga | lfanga@aelex.com | |
Banking and finance | Sina Sipasi | osipasi@aelex.com | |
Business reorganisation and insolvency | Olanipekun Orewale | oorewale@aelex.com | |
Capital markets | L Fubara Anga | lfanga@aelex.com | |
Capital Markets | Merit Okafor | mokafor@aelex.com | |
Corporate/commercial | Theophilus Emuwa | tiemuwa@aelex.com | |
Corporate/commercial | Chinyerugo Ugoji | tiemuwa@aelex.com | |
Energy and natural resources | Sina Sipasi | osipasi@aelex.com | |
Energy and natural resources | Raymond Ofagbor | kofagbo@aelex.com | |
Environment | Sina Sipasi | osipasi@aelex.com | |
Intellectual property | Theophilus Emuwa | tiemuwa@aelex.com | |
Intellectual property | Tiwalola Osazuwa | tosazuwa@aelex.com | |
Labour and Employment | Adedapo Tunde-Olowu | atolowu@aelex.com | |
Labour and Employment | Olanipekun Orewale | oorewale@aelex.com | |
Dispute resolution | Adedapo Tunde-Olowu | atolowu@aelex.com | |
Maritime | L Fubara Anga | lfanga@aelex.com | |
Maritime | Rafiq Anammah | ranammah@aelex.com | |
Taxation | Theophilus Emuwa | tiemuwa@aelex.com | |
Taxation | Chinyerugo Ugoji | cugoji@aelex.com | |
Technology, Media and Telecommunications | Tiwalola Osazuwa | tosazuwa@aelex.com | |
Intllectual Property | Tiwalola Osazuwa | tosazuwa@aelex.com | |
Franchising | Tiwalola Osazuwa | tosazuwa@aelex.com | |
Dispute Resolution | Ugonna Ogbuagu | uogbuagu@aelex.com | |
International Trade | Rebecca Ebokpo | rebokpo@aelex.com | |
Infrastructure | Theophilus Emuwa | tiemuwa@aelex.com | |
Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity | Chinyerugo Ugoji | cugoji@aelex.com |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 66 at this office : 46Languages
English FrenchMemberships
Nigerian member of the World Services Group and Meritas American Bar Association American Society of International Law Association of International Petroleum Negotiators Centre for American and International Law Chartered Institute of Arbitrators International Bar Association International Project Finance Association International Trademarks Association Law Society of England and WalesOther
Other offices : Abuja Other offices : Accra Other offices : Port HarcourtComparative Guides
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Nigeria: Litigation
Published: July 2023
Authors: Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, SANPerenami Momodu Joel IghaloMubaraq Popoola
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in Nigeria.
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Nigeria: International Arbitration
Published: November 2023
Authors: Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, SANPerenami MomoduOluwaseun Philip-Idiok Bolutife Desile
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in Nigeria.
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Energy and natural resources
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Ghana > Energy
- Ghana > Commercial, corporate and M&A