EMMANUEL OLATUNDE
Lekki
Summary
Dynamic Corporate Finance Attorney with demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and corporate governance across multiple jurisdictions. Proven track record of structuring complex financial transactions and delivering strategic legal solutions in regulated industries including fintech, banking, and technology sectors. Accomplished in developing and implementing comprehensive compliance frameworks while managing enterprise-wide risk. Notable experience includes leading multi-million dollar financing transactions, establishing robust governance structures, and navigating complex regulatory requirements across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Leverages deep understanding of financial markets and regulatory landscapes to provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions. Particularly skilled in digital finance regulations, cross-border transactions, and emerging technology compliance frameworks. Combines strategic legal counsel with strong commercial acumen to support business growth while ensuring regulatory compliance. Tech-savvy professional with exceptional ability to utilize digital tools for enhanced legal and compliance operations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
MANAGER, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
APEX NETWORK LIMITED
Lagos
01.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented comprehensive compliance programs for cryptocurrency and blockchain operations, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and industry best practices
- Reviewed and updated Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) policies to align with evolving regulatory requirements in the digital asset space
- Utilized advanced tools for transaction monitoring, Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR), and transaction reporting to maintain the integrity of the platform and detect potential fraudulent activities
- Collaborated with local and international law enforcement agencies to address and prevent financial crimes related to cryptocurrency transactions
- Interfaced with key regulators to ensure compliance with emerging regulations in the cryptocurrency and digital asset industry
- Provided legal guidance on decentralized finance (DeFi) products and services, including gift card exchange platforms and bill payment systems
- Developed and conducted training programs for staff on compliance matters specific to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies
- Managed legal risks associated with cryptocurrency trading, exchange operations, and cross-border transactions
- Advised on smart contract implementation and blockchain-based solutions to ensure legal compliance and protect user interests
- Stayed abreast of global regulatory developments in cryptocurrency and blockchain to proactively adapt company policies and procedures
- Oversaw the legal aspects of new product launches, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions
- Contributed to the development of industry standards for cryptocurrency exchanges through participation in relevant forums and associations
LEGAL COUNSEL
FCMB GROUP PLC
05.2023 - 12.2023
- Successfully represented the bank in numerous litigation cases, resulting in favorable outcomes and significant cost savings
- Developed and implemented effective legal strategies to protect the bank's interests and mitigate legal risks
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated complex commercial agreements, including loan agreements, security documents, and vendor contracts, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations
- Provided comprehensive legal advice to senior management and various business units on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and risk management matters
- Conducted thorough legal research and analysis to support decision-making processes and ensure legal compliance across the bank's operations
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and deliver training programs on legal and regulatory matters, enhancing employees' understanding and adherence to legal requirements
- Played a key role in resolving customer disputes and complaints, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and minimizing reputational risks for the bank
- Actively monitored changes in legislation and regulations impacting the banking industry, proactively advising management on potential impacts and necessary adjustments to policies and procedures
COMMERCIAL LEGAL COUNSEL, EMEA REGION
GLENTHORNE PARTNERS, UK
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Worked as legal counsel in an international Venture Capital and Private Equity Firm across their offices in Western Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle Eastern Regions focusing on a range of investment strategies including the provision of start-up and growth capital, strategic investments, and firm buyouts
- Collaborated with Glenthorne's portfolio teams to manage investments across several geographies including 4 continents; drafted and reviewed investment documentation (debt and equity); managed outside counsel review of documentation; provided support in connection with fund formation, working directly with outside UK and UAE counsel
- Prepared documentation for set-up of two subsidiary companies in the UAE Free Zone - One of them focused on Web3, NFTs, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology: the other being an entertainment focused company
- Participated in various due diligence projects including the acquisition of 49% shares in Delirium Esports Limited (One of the largest e-gaming companies in the United Kingdom), 30% shares in Adoraswim (a sustainable swimwear brand in the UK), 50% of a joint venture developing renewable & green housing projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, and setting up the largest indoor Dome in the world located in the UAE via an invitation from the Emirati Government
- Drafting and review of Share Purchase, Shareholders, Convertible Notes, Loan Agreements, NDAs and relevant documentation and drafting corporate documentation of the holding company and the subsidiary companies such as general assembly meetings, board resolutions, POA
- Provided advice on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, private investments, financing arrangements, equity and debt offerings, and asset dispositions
- Amended existing independent contractor agreements
- Researched and evaluated different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations
- Applied effective risk management techniques and offered proactive advice on possible legal issues
DEPUTY MANAGER, LEGAL SERVICES
ROSABON FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
LAGOS
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Reviewing policies, laws, and proffering solutions to the company.
- Reviewing potential customers' contracts and maintaining relationships with them through stringent cooperation on behalf of Rosabon Financial Services Limited.
- Keeping up with and reviewing changes in laws that could affect Rosabon Financial Services Limited, informing staff of changes, and advising appropriate departments on actions to prevent legal issues.
- Explaining available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to the company.
- Minimizing risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Researching and drafting contracts, agreements and proposals with local and international business partners;
- Analyzing probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Acting in a secretarial role by preparing Notices of Board meetings, attending the Board Meetings and Preparing the minutes of meetings.
- Ensuring that all the regulatory requirements are complied with to the latter.
- Working closely with external attorneys to research, complete trial preparations and create document drafts for court use.
- Participating in professional development initiatives for consistent improvement and up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends and best practices.
Associate
Castlefield Attorneys
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Worked as a central part of the firm’s dispute resolution team, in preparing necessary court papers in representing some of Nigeria’s largest indigenous companies in various sectors of the economy such as oil and gas, finance, infrastructure and construction particularly in disputes arising from property transactions, interpretation of agreements, contractual conflicts, amongst others.
- Advised the Borrower and provided opinions, reviewed the facility documents and handled regulatory compliance issues with respect to a $382,000,000,000 Facility to finance the execution of the Borrower’s Turnaround Strategy.
- Acted as Borrower’s Counsel on a Six Hundred and Forty Million United States Dollars ($640,000,000) Senior Medium-Term Facility from a consortium of Local and International Banks.
- Advised the Borrower and provided opinions, reviewed the Facility documents and handled regulatory compliance issues with respect to a ₦100,000,000,000 Sukuk Financing Issue.
- Advised a tier one Bank in Nigeria on an aircraft mortgage facility of $9,170,000 to a Borrower, I drafted the Facility document; personally, interfaced with the regulatory authorities.
- Advised an indigenous oil and gas company on its financing structure of One Billion Eight Hundred Million United States Dollars ($1,800,000,000) Facility for the optimization of an Oil Mining Lease (OML).
- Conducted due diligence and transaction advisory for a Guarantee Company Limited which sought to guarantee a transportation and logistics company that had operated in the South-Western region of Nigeria over the past decade to the tune of ₦20,000,000,000 (Twenty Billion Naira).
- Learned and operated specialized legal software such as LawPavilion and NextCounsel
- Development of corporate growth strategy to evolve a completely new structure for the law firm subsequent to consolidation — Reviewed the global and local legal services industry landscape to understand the emerging trends — Spearheaded the digital revolution of the law firm
- Developed transaction documents such as investment teaser, information memorandum, NDAs and other marketing documents
- Advised extensively on commercial transactions spanning into multi-million-dollar territory.
- Broke new ground in the firm and led the foray into emerging areas of Law Practice (Drone Law, Technology Law to name a few)
- Served as Team Lead in various ADR settlements with a view to "zero litigation" policy for corporate clients
- Carried out due diligence for regulatory compliance
- I have led key transactions spanning M&A, restructuring, winding-up, project finance and transaction advisory
NYSC Associate
A.S. Oyewale-Freeman & Co.
Lagos
10.2018 - 12.2019
Education
BBA - Law
Nigerian Law School
Enugu Campus06-2019
Bachelor of Science - Law
Osun State University
08-2017
Master of Science - International Finance, Corporate & Business Law
Liverpool John Moores University
United KingdomSkills
- Contract Management
- Corporate Transactions
- Corporate Governance
- Dispute Settlements
- Document Review
- Strategy Development
- Strategic Planning
- Legal Analysis
Accomplishments
- Facilitated the firm's smooth transition to a paperless system.
- Key part of the team that worked with the NCAA to draft the Pioneer legislation regulating the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Nigeria
- Led the Project Finance team in several international transactions
- Successfully drove a zero-litigation policy for a select group of clients to minimize escalation of issues and maximize efficiency
- Led the digital transformation of the firm via optimal use of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence software
- Secured several ADR awards in favour of corporate and private clients
- In my role as Team Led of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), I have engaged prospective investors such as PE firms and DFIs; conducted restructuring of companies & winding up proceedings; and reviewed existing corporate strategy documents
- Obtained several new licenses with key regulators in the Nigerian financial sector
Certification
- Drafting & Negotiating Commercial Contracts Masterclass (Economic Times) – February 2022
- Advanced Valuation and Strategy - M&A, Private Equity, And Venture Capital - [Erasmus University, Rotterdam] – June 2020
- Dispute Management in Africa Infrastructure Projects], [Linklaters] – October 2020
- Corporate Finance Essentials [IESE Business School] – November 2020
- General Course on Intellectual Property [World Intellectual Property Organization] – March 2021
- Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification [Management & Strategy Institute] – March 2021
- Critical Thinking for Self-Development [Metropolitan School of Business & Management, UK] – April 2021
- Introduction to Corporate Finance [Corporate Finance Institute] – May 2021
- The Laws of Digital Data, Content and Artificial Intelligence (AI) [The University of Law] – May 2021
- AI For Legal Professionals: Law and Policy [National Chiao Tung University] – May 2021
Affiliations
- Member, Nigerian Bar Association
- YIAG Member, London Court of International Arbitration
- Young ICCA, International Council of Commercial Arbitration
- Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
- Associate Member, African Data Engineering and Science Association
- Young Professional, Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center (SVAMC)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
MANAGER, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
APEX NETWORK LIMITED
01.2024 - Current
LEGAL COUNSEL
FCMB GROUP PLC
05.2023 - 12.2023
COMMERCIAL LEGAL COUNSEL, EMEA REGION
GLENTHORNE PARTNERS, UK
07.2022 - 05.2023
DEPUTY MANAGER, LEGAL SERVICES
ROSABON FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
01.2022 - 07.2022
Associate
Castlefield Attorneys
01.2020 - 12.2021
NYSC Associate
A.S. Oyewale-Freeman & Co.
10.2018 - 12.2019
BBA - Law
Nigerian Law School
Bachelor of Science - Law
Osun State University
Master of Science - International Finance, Corporate & Business Law
Liverpool John Moores University
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