Ezekiel Ibeojo

Seasoned in-house counsel, governance and corporate secretariat professional with over 10 years of progressive experience in the Legal Service and Financial Services sectors. Adept at shaping and optimizing corporate structures, I provide strategic counsel to Boards, Executive Committees, and senior leadership teams. I have a consistent record of elevating organizational compliance, strengthening risk oversight, and driving seamless Executive and Corporate operations across complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.

Known for my ability to navigate regulatory landscapes and align corporate frameworks with long-term business objectives, I engage confidently with regulators, government stakeholders, and global partners to support high-stakes decision-making.

Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at TEMPLE GROUP LIMITED (2024-01 – Present)

• Spearheaded the planning and execution of Board of Directors, Board Committees, and International Business Meetings
• Collaborated directly with the Board Chairman to develop agendas, manage logistics, and ensure seamless execution of meetings, including booking venues, accommodations, and travel arrangements.
• Ensured timely distribution and availability of all reports, presentations, and other critical documents prior to meetings
• Managed the proceedings, recorded minutes, and provided expert advice on governance, procedures, and corporate compliance; facilitated the drafting and dissemination of resolutions to management, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, followed up on actionable items.
• Managed the litigation portfolio of the company including case planning, drafting of retainership brief for each case, gathering relevant documents, liaison with external solicitors, preparing internal witnesses and attending courtroom sessions on behalf of the company.
• Managed the legal risks of the company including identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring potential legal exposures to litigation, regulatory, contractual, and compliance risks.
• Advised on project finance transactions by reviewing and drafting key financing documents, coordinating due-diligence processes, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks; facilitated seamless communication among lenders, sponsors, and external counsel.

Head of Legal/Executive Assistant at NEWS ENGINEERING NIGERIA LIMITED (2021-01 – 2024-12)

• Directed comprehensive contract negotiation, advisory, drafting, and execution activities by developing robust commercial agreements, conducting detailed legal and risk analyses, and providing strategic guidance to internal and external stakeholders; ensured timely, compliant execution and archiving of all contractual instruments.
• Built, maintained, and strategically guiding relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including executives, employees, regulators, investors, and business partners to align legal risk management with the organization's objectives and reputation.
• Led and developed the legal team by setting strategic direction, allocating resources, overseeing performance and risk quality, and coaching junior lawyers to strengthen their legal judgment, business acumen, and professional growth.
• Conducted a Comprehensive Corporate Governance Audit to access regulatory standards and internal governance framework; developed audit report and provided recommendations to enhance governance practice ensuring alignment with global best practices.
• Spearheaded the development and enforcement of comprehensive legal and regulatory compliance frameworks, ensuring adherence to both local and international regulations
• Implemented robust internal procedures aligned with corporate governance principles and best industry practices, achieving a 30% reduction in compliance-related incidents over a two-year period.
• Collaborated closely with the Company Secretary to manage the preparation, issuance, and circulation of meeting notices and agendas, alongside the formulation of board and committee papers; enhanced board efficiency by streamlining decision-making processes and achieving a 25% reduction in the time taken to follow up on actionable decisions.
• Acted as the ESG Lead for critical energy infrastructure projects, including the 132/33KV Transmission Substations in Awka (Anambra State) and Alausa (Lagos State), as well as the 60kWp Solar PV Mini-Grid in Kuchi, Niger State, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, climate commitments, and renewable energy standards.
• Oversaw the ESG and compliance aspects of World Bank funded Performance-Based Grants (PBGs) and Output-Based Grants (OBGs) for Solar Home Systems and Solar Mini-Grids across 30 rural communities in Niger State, ensuring compliance with ESIA, ESMPs, and international donor safeguards.
• Conducted legal due diligence with regulatory agencies such as NERC, DPR, and CAC, ensuring clean energy investments, joint ventures, and financing agreements were compliant with national regulatory frameworks and investor requirements.

Head, Corporate Services at Lumen Attorneys (2016-01 – 2020-12)

• Provided strategic governance counsel to financial institutions, advising on Board and Committee composition, structure, and functionality in line with Board/Committee Charters and the Code of Corporate Governance; ensured robust governance practices that enhanced corporate accountability and transparency.
• Managed corporate secretariats for high-profile clients, overseeing Board portals, documentation management, and information retrieval systems
• Ensured that all corporate records were meticulously maintained, accessible, and compliant with governance standards.
• Designed and facilitated comprehensive corporate governance training programs for Compliance Officers, Board members, and Committees
• Coordinated and executed Board and Committee performance appraisals, introducing advanced performance metrics to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of Directors.
• Created and continuous updated of governance frameworks, including Board/Committee Charters, Terms of Reference, Ethical Codes, and operational rules; ensured the frameworks were pivotal in standardizing governance practices and ensuring alignment with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advised client organizations on regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with laws, regulatory guidelines, directives, and industry best practices; ensured a proactive approach that positioned client companies favorably in all their transactions.
• Counselled clients with legal challenges
• Drafted Court Processes and filed them in court and participated in defending clients in court.
• Participated in Drafting, Execution and Perfection of Legal Instruments for corporate and private transactions and performed corporate taxation duties.
• Conducted Corporate Searches and report outcomes and implications to the Head of Corporate and Commercial Law for review.
• Participated in the Corporate Secretarial Services of the Law Firm, such as attending Meetings of Companies in a team of Lawyers and proffering Legal Advice; filing of Statutory Returns and registering changes in the Company at the Corporate Affairs Commission.
• Follow up all matters in Courts, filings at the Corporate, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Ministry of Lands and render report to the Practice Manager.

Legal Associate at FUNMI ROBERTS & CO (2015-01 – 2016-12)

• Counselled clients with legal challenges
• Drafted Court Processes and filed them in court and participated in defending clients in court.
• Participated in Drafting, Execution and Perfection of Legal Instruments for corporate and private transactions and performed corporate taxation duties.
• Conducted Corporate Searches and report outcomes and implications to the Head of Corporate and Commercial Law for review.
• Participated in the Corporate Secretarial Services of the Law Firm, such as attending Meetings of Companies in a team of Lawyers and proffering Legal Advice; filing of Statutory Returns and registering changes in the Company at the Corporate Affairs Commission.
• Follow up all matters in Courts, filings at the Corporate, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Ministry of Lands and render report to the Practice Manager.

Master of Laws in LL.M – NILE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA (HONORIS UNIVERSITY) (2025-12)

PostGraduate Certification in Business Communication – OPEN UNIVERSITY, UK (2022-12)

PostGraduate Certification in Energy Economics, Environment and Policy – ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK INSTITUTE (2022-12)

Bachelor of Laws in LLB Hons – KOGI STATE UNIVERSITY (2014-12)

B. L Degree in Law – NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL (2015-12)