SENIOR CORPORATE COUNSEL - DENNIS AYISIRE & CO.
(2024-12)
- Advising companies and clients on regulatory compliance with special reference to the CBN and AML/CFT Regulations.
- Prepared the regulatory and compliance checklist framework of the company to help other staff and Management to be updated with status of regulations and compliance with same.
- Recently advised on the effects and applicability of the new directives and guidelines of the Securities and the Exchange Commission (SEC) on Arco Group Plc (a top tier company in the oil and gas sector, marine, engineering amongst other).
- Carrying out company secretarial duties for Arco Group of Companies.
- Preparing of notices for meetings, taking records of Meetings and preparing the minutes and reports of meetings to be presented to the Board.
- Reviewing operational contracts such as SLA's, Deeds, International Sales Contract, Founders Agreement etc.
- Critically reviewed and advised the AWSL (a subsidiary of Arco Group Plc) on the legal and commercial effects of the International Sales Contract Agreement between itself and a US company which had underlying terms and provisions that appears oppressive and disregarding of international best practices.
- Keeping track with updates on potential government's policies and laws that tends to affect the business of the company with particular reference to the Free Trade Zone Bill still being discussed at the National Assembly.
- Collaborated with the Group Head of Resources to draft company's policies on employment contracts, SLA's, termination of contracts and compensations.
- Advising and updating the Group Board on steps to recover the wrongful deduction/remittance of its Withholding tax to a third party with the assistance of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
- Prompt update to subsidiary companies to file annual returns to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other due remittances to the FIRS and other regulatory bodies.
- Applying, following up, and giving updates on application of permits and off-shore clearance of Marine vessels for the company.
- Liaising and maintaining relationship all subsidiary Management so as to be updated with necessary information pertaining my job role.
- Advising the company on the legality or otherwise of entering into foreign or local contracts with business clients that suggests currency payments in Dollars or any currency other than Naira with particular reference to the CBN Act and Regulation.
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - NANTE ATTORNEYS. LAGOS - LAGOS
(2024-04)
- Advising companies and clients on regulatory compliance with special reference to the CBN and AML/CFT Regulations.
- Carried out compliance duties for clients relating to ITF, NSITF, BPP, SCUML, TCC, PENCOM etc.
- Updating clients on changes in government's laws and policies that tends to affects business transactions with particular reference to the new Withholding Tax Regulation (2024) and the EFCC's Regulation (2024) to DNFI's to have a Regulatory Compliance Officer in the company.
- Rigorously assisted the Lagos State Government to recover stamp duties from banks by obtaining distraint orders against defaulting banks, and when contested, defend the actions in court.
- Diligently advised clients on the effect of the new Withholding tax guidelines made in 2024.
- Active litigation and corporate/commercial practice.
- Registration of companies, organizations, clubs and help filing statutory returns.
- Reviewing clients' corporate structures to ensure compliance with local legislations.
- Promoter and Consultant to Hobwise Services Ltd.
- Assisted with registration and adherence to NAFDAC regulations for food and drugs product.
- Regulatory Compliance with statutes and agencies.
- Conducted bespoke trainings and awareness on Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) policies and regulations to clients and staff.
- Preparing Petitions to relevant Law Enforcement Agencies such as EFCC, Nigerian Police etc. and following up with them on behalf of clients.
- Transactional due diligence on behalf of clients.
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - IDOWU SOFOLA (SAN) & CO. LAGOS - LAGOS
(2022-10 - 2024-03)
- Conducted legal research and analyzing the legal implications of client's transactions to ensure maximum benefit to clients.
- Collaborated with the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute suspecting offenders on behalf of KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja).
- Actively helped MTN to recover some billions of Naira owed to it by a defaulter at the High Court.
- Advised companies on regulatory compliance and giving prompt updates on any change in legislations, policies or regulations.
- Provided and advised a start-up company within the on the essence of compliance with the relevant agencies charged with the care and regulation of foods and consumables in Nigeria such as SON, NAFDAC, FCCPC etc.
- Drafted and prepared the Internal regulatory policies (work policy, employees handbook etc.) for clients.
- Performed due diligence on clients and investigating high-risk clients and politically exposed persons and obtaining all necessary information and documentation for KYC (know your customer) purposes.
- Drafted and reviewed transactional documents (Contracts, MoUs, etc.) for possible legal and administrative errors.
- Monitoring, identifying, and embedding new and amended laws, regulations, and practices in clients practices and procedures.
- Ensuring that the clients comply with their statutory obligations (filing annual returns, payment of taxes, etc.)
- Reviewing clients' corporate structures to ensure compliance with local legislation
- Drafting and reviewing agreements and contracts
- Reviewing client's company's policies to ensure compliance with local laws.
- Drafting pleadings and other court processes.
- Helped Bet9ja negotiate tax remittances with various state lottery regulatory commissions in Nigeria.
- Helped Sterling Bank, FCMB and other banks including companies to recover loans.
- Ensuring due diligence in transactions such as Mortgage.
- Drafted and advised on the Remo Stars FC appeal to the NPFL Summary Jurisdiction Committee's decision against it in 2023.
- Compliance and professional engagements with top companies such as BET9JA (KC GAMING NETWORKS LTD), MTN, KEYSTONE BANK etc.
- Engagement with law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeran Police, EFCC, Nigerian Immigration Service etc. on behalf of clients.
- Professional relationship management with clients by giving them updates on their matters and notices of further engagements.
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - GBENGA OGUNNIRAN & CO. - KADUNA STATE
(2021-02 - 2022-08)
At Gbenga Ogunniran & Co. I worked with the Nominees and Solicitors team to provide general and practical solutions to clients, both top multinationals and local entities etc. I also provided legal advice relating to property, corporate and commercial transactions, perfection of title documents at the Federal and State registries respectively etc.
I worked with the firm's arm that caters for the legal needs of Small and Medium Businesses – Inclusive of making available the necessary money lender's agreement, and other necessaries, etc.
- Key member of the dispute resolution team (Solicitor's team) involved mostly in court room practice and litigation, represented banks and other financial institutions and clients on matters involving disputes between them and other parties.
- Matters involving recovery of debts, garnishee proceedings, matters also involving matrimonial proceedings, Judicial separation, Lawful custody to that effect, etc.
- Key member of the Nominee teams that was mostly involved in the corporate/commercial and property transactions.
- Matters involving application for Certificates of Occupancy, Registration of Business names and companies, filing of Annual Returns, Pre- incorporation contracts agreements, etc.
- This was also extended to other jurisdiction outside Kaduna State.
- The Nominee team that was also involved in other matters like Registration of Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Applications and processing of Letters of Administration and other Probate related Proceedings.
- Digital Marketing; We also do this on how to meet modern standard of online practice and advertising as would not go against the rules of professional conduct. i.e. how the websites created is well constructed to meet suitors needs, and other social media pages as would meet the rapid needs of potential clients whilst maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
NYSC ASSOCIATE - CHRIS OMOKHAFE & CO. - EKITI STATE
(2020-01 - 2020-10)
- Drafting of court processes.
- Represented clients in courts; Handled and held brief on both civil and criminal matters
