Director, Legal & Corporate Services at Fob Continental Real Estate Ltd (2025-01 – Present)
Lead the legal, governance, regulatory, compliance, and risk management functions of the organization, serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on legal strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
- Direct corporate governance frameworks, enterprise legal risk management, and compliance programs across the business.
- Oversee commercial contracts, vendor and partnership agreements, and legal documentation supporting corporate strategy and operational initiatives.
- Direct strategic human capital and corporate communication initiatives in support of organizational growth and legal operational efficiency.
Company Secretary / General Counsel at Lotus Bank Limited (2021-08 – 2024-12)
Reported to the Board of Directors, Board Committees, and Managing Director/CEO. Served as General Counsel and principal legal advisor to the Chairman, Board, and Executive Management on governance, statutory, and regulatory matters, and as Secretary to the Board and Board Committees, providing secretariat services for Board, Committee, and Annual General Meetings.
- Custodian of the corporate governance framework, driving its design, implementation, and continuous improvement across the institution.
- Led regulatory engagement, legal affairs, legal due diligence, and dispute resolution matters, and advised on emerging legal, regulatory, and compliance risks affecting business operations.
- Advised on implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other data privacy and cybersecurity regulations; led staff learning and awareness programs on data privacy compliance.
- Oversaw drafting, negotiation, and management of commercial contracts, financing arrangements, and legal documentation for local and cross-border transactions, and managed statutory and regulatory filings.
- Coordinated Board and stakeholder relations to promote ethics, risk awareness, and corporate accountability; managed shareholder relations, Shareholders' Agreements, and the Shareholders' Register.
- Led governance audits, Board appraisal processes, and development of governance policies and Board charters; oversaw creation and perfection of securities and collateral management.
- Acted as Chief Contract Negotiator on all contract awards, providing transaction support and negotiation leadership across the institution.
- Achieved full compliance with statutory and regulatory governance and secretariat obligations, earning Executive Management commendation for governance excellence and corporate secretariat effectiveness.
- Delivered critical legal advice and documentation for local and cross-border transactions, achieving zero legal risk exposure; promoted to Company Secretary/General Counsel (January 2024) after serving concurrently as Company Secretary and Head, Legal Services.
- Built legal and compliance capability across the organization, training over 350 employees on banking law, securities regulation, and professional ethics.
Regional Legal Officer, North & Secretary, Advisory Committee of Experts at SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited (2019-09 – 2021-08)
- Managed legal and regulatory compliance advisory services across the region, overseeing the litigation portfolio and external legal counsel relationships.
- Advised business leaders on commercial contracts, regulatory matters, and operational legal risk.
- Coordinated governance and corporate secretariat activities for the Advisory Committee of Experts of the Bank's Non-Interest Window.
Head, Drafting & Litigation at Jaiz Bank Plc (2017-01 – 2019-08)
Acting Head, Legal Advisory Services at Jaiz Bank Plc (2014-01 – 2016-12)
Deputized for the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser throughout tenure, performing corporate secretariat, governance, and legal advisory functions.
- Delivered legal advisory, contract drafting and review, and litigation management functions, and supervised Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) activities for the Bank.
- Provided corporate secretariat services for Board, Committee, and Annual General Meetings in support of the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser.
- Established standardized commercial contract templates and led legal documentation and contract reviews for local and cross-border transactions.
- Led negotiation and execution of cross-border commercial contracts, ensuring compliance with international regulatory requirements and strengthening the Bank's legal framework to support growth and technology-driven initiatives.
- Managed statutory filings with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, ensuring compliance with capital markets regulatory requirements; served on the Product Development Committee and chaired the Procurement Committee.
- Successfully managed high-value disputes and litigation matters, recording zero adverse judgment execution against the Bank, and effectively managed legal risk on local and cross-border transaction documentation.
- Contributed to human capital development, training over 500 staff on banking law and non-interest finance.
Principal Attorney at Fobgreat Solicitors LP (2011-02 – 2013-12)
- Led corporate and commercial litigation matters, appearing before superior courts of record.
- Managed private legal practice engagements, including contract negotiation and drafting, and company incorporation.
Intermediate Senior Associate / Associate at Perchstone & Graeys (Law Firm) (2009-04 – 2011-01)
- Handled commercial litigation, arbitration, oil & gas, capital markets, debt recovery, and anti-money laundering matters.
- Negotiated out-of-court settlements and supervised execution of court judgments.
Associate at Akinlawon & Ajomo (Law Firm) (2008-02 – 2009-04)
- Gained early experience in corporate and commercial litigation through conduct of cases in superior courts of record.
- Prepared and reviewed court processes, ensuring efficient presentation of client claims.
National Youth Service Corps – Teaching at Government Day Primary School (2007-01 – 2008-12)
