A well seasoned professional poised with integrity and commitment. With an in-depth knowledge and experience in the practice of law proven over 20 years post call to the Nigerian bar. I have a strong foundation in corporate law and compliance. Experienced in developing HR strategies aligned with business goals and regulatory frameworks. Skilled in talent acquisition, workforce planning, and organizational development. Adept at bridging legal insight with HR practices to drive strategic people management.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Country Manager
ITM Services Limited
Abuja
05.2021 - 04.2025
Create business development strategies to drive new business from conception through closure
Developing and executing HR strategies aligned with clients' business goals and local market dynamics
Analyze and monitor business growth and decline, as well as provide possible solutions and new ways to increase productivity of the business.
Leading talent acquisition initiatives to attract top local and expatriate talent.
Building professional relationships with staff and clients.
Coordinating employee onboarding, performance management, and retention strategies.
Overseeing workforce planning to ensure optimal staffing levels and skills alignment.
Maintaining a good image of the organization at all times while ensuring compliance with local labour laws, regulations, and global HR standards.
Developing growth strategies focused both on financial gain and customer satisfaction.
Driving business development and expanding the company's presence in the Nigerian market.
Developing and promoting the company’s products/services while addressing clients’ needs.
Manage and participate in business negotiations, approve and review business decisions.
Reporting on key HR metrics and operational performance to the Company's Headquarters.
Managing Partner
Apex Temple Associates
Abuja
07.2018 - 05.2021
Providing strategic leadership and overall management of the firm’s operations, client relations, and legal practice areas
Overseeing the delivery of high-quality legal services across corporate, commercial, and real estate sectors
Acting as Legal Adviser and Company Secretary to both local and foreign-owned companies as well as private clients
Advising and representing corporations on matters ranging from initial business planning, corporate structuring, vision and mission alignment, registration, and financing.
Leading negotiations of real estate transactions cumulatively valued at over N2.3 billion, including contract structuring and due diligence
Overseeing the registration and perfection of title deeds and other land-related legal documentation.
Legal advisory on corporate, commercial, real estate matters.
Drafting Title deeds Deed of Assignments, Legal Mortgage, Power of Attorney and other Land title deed;
Leading the firm’s business development efforts and maintaining strong client partnerships.
Offering legal advice and formal opinions to international companies and foreign nationals on various entry visas and conducting business in Nigeria
Counsel to Clients on various contentious matter including real estate cases.
Head of Chambers
Perchstone & Graeys Law Firm
Abuja
07.2014 - 06.2018
Legal Adviser and Company Secretary to local and foreign owned companies and private clients
Advising and representing various corporations on issues ranging from initial business planning, company structure, organizations visions & missions, registration and financing, to ongoing regulatory and corporate compliance
Proffering legal advice and opinion to international companies and foreigners on doing business in Nigeria
Prepared prerequisite documents needed for the incorporation of new companies, both foreign and domestic companies
Rendering statutory returns to the Corporate Affairs Commission, and carrying out such necessary administrative or secretarial duties
Attended meetings of Shareholders, and Board of directors; and advising on compliance with the applicable Company’s Act rules and regulations
Debt and loan recovery agent for the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)
One of the lead counsel advising on an Acquisition transaction to the tune of N550 Million Naira
Advised and review of an EPC Contract of a Refinery to the tune of $73 Million Dollars
Attending meetings of Shareholders, and Board of directors; and advising on compliance with general corporate governance and applicable Company’s Act rules and regulations
Rendering general legal services, writing legal opinion, legal advisory services, preparing Deeds, Contracts and Agreement for both local and international companies
Conversant with statutory and non statutory registration; Trade Mark, NAFDAC, NIPC etc
Participated as a member of the Corporate Governance team that served as principal consultants to the Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on Corporate Governance in Nigeria and assisted the SEC Committee in producing a report based on comparative analysis of practices in other jurisdictions, research and statistical findings, and proceeded to draft a Code for the SEC
Conversant with Immigration Support procedures
Senior Associate
Perchstone & Graeys Law Firm
Lagos and Abuja
01.2013 - 07.2014
Managing client relationships and serving as a key point of contact for legal matters.
Preparing legal documentation for corporate transactions, real estate, and commercial matters.
Conducting due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and real estate transactions
Contributing to business development efforts, including attending client meetings and preparing minutes of meeting.
Reviewed and drafted couple of Farm-in-Agreements, JOA, Downstream transactions Agreements between indigenous and international oil companies.
Participated in the negotiation process between the National Oil Company and an International Oil Company on a Crude Oil Process Agreement; reviewed and drafted clauses of the Agreement.
Solicited for Herbert Smith LLP as local Counsel on various transactions carried out in Nigeria, furnishing the Firm with constant update of the laws, policies and regulations governing the Oil & Gas industry.
Prepared opinions on relevant legislation and policy governing the oil & Gas industry in Nigeria.
Counsel to a financial institution on brief to recover the sum of N 85 Million. Obtained judgment in favour of our client, also instituted Garnishee proceeding in the matter to recover judgment.
Counsel to Clients on various contentious matter including debt recovery, dispute of title of a mortgage property, employment dispute, Land matter etc.
Counsel to a financial institution on brief to recover the sum of N 85 Million. Obtained judgment in favour of the client. Instituted Garnishee proceeding in the matter to recover judgment.
Intermediate Associate
Perchstone & Graeys law Firm
Lagos
10.2008 - 01.2013
Conducted legal searches and preparing legal search reports for a leading Telecommunication Company.
Negotiated lease transactions and purchase of properties.
Advising and representing various corporations on issues ranging from initial business planning, company structure, organizations visions & missions, registration and financing, to ongoing regulatory and corporate compliance.
Proffering legal advice and opinion to international companies and foreigners on doing business in Nigeria.
Processing perfection of Land title, Mortgages and obtaining Certificate of Occupancy at the Lands Registry.
Furnishing both local and international clients with update of the law, policies and regulations governing their area of business.
Ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Preparing prerequisite documents for the incorporation of companies.
Attending meetings of Shareholders, and Board of directors; and advising on compliance with the applicable Company’s Act rules and regulations;
Associate
Gbenga Biobaku & Co
Lagos
07.2008 - 09.2008
An active member of the team acting as solicitors to International Oil Company in documents recovery and indexing of documents recovered;
Conducted due diligence and preparing a legal search report on Nigerian Company in a proposed partnership with a foreign printing company;
Advised a number of International Oil Company on Environmental Law in Nigeria;
Proffered legal advice, writing opinions and conducting legal searches on divers issues of law for both indigenous and International Companies operating in Nigeria.
Supported senior staff members during busy periods resulting in efficient workflow.
Took minutes at board meetings to keep accurate records.
Government and Public Affairs Personnel
Chevron
Lagos
09.2005 - 09.2006
A team member of the Community Engagement Unit under the Land and Sustainable Division;
Actively participated in the drafting and signing of the Global Memorandum of Understandingbetween Chevron and various communities in the Niger Delta region;
Conducted investigations on the validity of claims from Host communities regarding damages caused by the Oil Company’s operations;
Raised request for the settlement of expenses incurred on operations in the host communities;
Liaised with various stakeholders in the host communities to maintain a mutual beneficial relationship with the company.
Education
Master’s Degree (LLM) - Law
University Of Dundee
Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
04.2001 - 04.2008
Professional Qualification - Law
Nigerian Law School
Bachelor Of Law (LLB) - Law
Cardiff University
Wales, United Kingdom
04.2001 - 01.2003
Executive Education - International Finance: Policy, Regulations and Transaction
Harvard Law School
Skills
Interpersonal skills
Communications skills
Team player
Strategic planning
Organizational skills
Leadership skills
Corporate secretarial duties
Regulatory compliance
Creative skills
Analytical skills
IT skills
Microsoft Office proficiency
Accountability and responsibility
Multinational collaboration
Employee training and development
Staff training and recruitment
Languages
French
Beginner
English
Fluent
Custom
Available upon request
Affiliations
Travelling
Accomplishments
Member of the Nigerian Bar Association
Certificate holder of various courses in Commercial awareness, Leadership skill, and Project management.
Certified Management Consultant Certification
Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants
Certification
Nigerian Bar Association License
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Country Manager
ITM Services Limited
05.2021 - 04.2025
Managing Partner
Apex Temple Associates
07.2018 - 05.2021
Head of Chambers
Perchstone & Graeys Law Firm
07.2014 - 06.2018
Senior Associate
Perchstone & Graeys Law Firm
01.2013 - 07.2014
Intermediate Associate
Perchstone & Graeys law Firm
10.2008 - 01.2013
Associate
Gbenga Biobaku & Co
07.2008 - 09.2008
Government and Public Affairs Personnel
Chevron
09.2005 - 09.2006
Master’s Degree (LLM) - Law
University Of Dundee
04.2001 - 04.2008
Bachelor Of Law (LLB) - Law
Cardiff University
04.2001 - 01.2003
Professional Qualification - Law
Nigerian Law School
Executive Education - International Finance: Policy, Regulations and Transaction
Finance and Accounts Department (Management Information Reporting) at Nexim BankFinance and Accounts Department (Management Information Reporting) at Nexim Bank