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England - London • Finance
6

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans

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Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP

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Under the expert guidance of the ‘calm and measured’ Chuks Ibechukwu, the London office of Nigeria-based full-service firm Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP has established itself as a market leader for handling the English law aspects of Africa-based finance transactions for both lenders and borrowers. The scope of this work is broad-ranging and includes financings utilising both commercial and development finance-backed funding for project and debt finance transactions, particularly in the energy sector. Gabriel Onagoruwa is key to the firm’s success on the sponsor front, where he is often aided by Juanita Derex-Briggs, including on bilateral and syndicated transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team has managed to find the perfect balance of commercial pragmatism and protecting lender rights brilliantly. I feel safe in their hands - like our interests are being totally protected. The team also really drives the deal forward, keeping momentum up.’
  • 'Chuks Ibechukwu is an incredible source of knowledge and experience. He brings a calm and measured experience to the transaction.'

  • ‘Juanita Derex-Briggs - Juanita takes the reins completely. I feel she protects the interests of our business and is always across all aspects of a transaction. She is a superstar for sure.'

  • 'We believe the quality of the service, legal advice, and attention to detail we received was excellent.'

  • 'Junita Derex-Briggs: her best skill is guiding and moving the process forward without needing to follow up at all. Chuks Ibechukwu: the partner in charge. he gets involved when needed and provides professional and efficient advice. Great at finding solutions to gating issues.'

  • 'Chuks Ibechukwu - great leader of the team, incredible source of knowledge and experience. He brings a calm and measured experience to the transaction and feel he is always around when needed.'

Key clients

  • Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited
  • Dangote Cement Plc
  • Tenoil Petroleum & Energy Services Limited
  • Bisedge Holding
  • Veenocks Limited
  • British International Investment Plc
  • Mauritius Commercial Bank
  • Africa Finance Corporation
  • Nithio
  • Green GenSet gGmBH
  • Mirova SunFunder Inc.

Work highlights

Acting as international legal counsel to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in connection with its $3.3bn Royalties and Tax Crude Oil-Backed Prepayment Facility, known as Project Gazelle.
Acting as English legal counsel to Tenoil Petroleum & Energy Services Limited in connection with a $100m syndicated financing for the implementation of a project development plan to optimize crude oil production and evacuation from the Ata and Inanga oil fields, located within Mobil Producing Nigeria's (MPN) OML 68.
Advised Dangote Cement Plc on its $675m secured corporate finance term loan.

Practice head

Chuks Ibechukwu

Other key lawyers

Gabriel Onagoruwa; Howard Barrie; Juanita Derex-Briggs; Akemi Kishimoto