Our Legal Team
BAR JAMES EMMANUEL
Principal Partner
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), BL
Bar James Emmanuel brings over three decades of extensive and diverse legal experience in both the private and public sectors, nationally and internationally. He earned his LLB (Hons) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He has undergone extensive post-graduate training in oil and gas negotiations, including the Executive Program in Mastering Negotiations at Harvard University and AIPN training programs. He served as Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate, Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment in Imo State, and Commissioner for Transport and Aviation. He has advised several oil and gas businesses and collaborated on nearly USD 170 Million in direct credit financing by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Association of Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), and Institute for Energy Law.
BAR CHINONSO FRIDAY
Managing Partner
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), BL
Bar Chinonso Friday has approximately 24 years of law practice experience, beginning as a litigator and transitioning into corporate and consulting roles over the past decade. He has extensive experience in regulatory reforms, corporate management, and supporting international agencies, public bodies, private companies, and civil society organizations. Chinonso holds an MBA in Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Anti-Corruption Studies, and an MSc in Public Procurement Management for Sustainable Development from Turin University, Italy. He is an American Certified PPP practitioner and a member of the Governing Board of Rhema University.
BAR CHIWENDU EMMANUEL
Partner
Bar Chiwendu Emmanuel has over 16 years of experience in commercial litigation, development law, alternative dispute resolution, law and institutional reforms, and public service. He has worked with Olise Agbukoba Legal and served as the first Executive Director of the Nigerian Bar Association, pioneering the professionalization of its management and advocacy. Chiwendu has supported justice sector institutions, public sector bodies, corporate entities, and civil society organizations. He has attended several training programs and conferences, including a Commonwealth-sponsored Professional Fellowship Programme and leadership training by the International Bar Association and American Bar Association. He has also served on the Governing Board of the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, International Division of the Law Society of England and Wales, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
UGOCHUKWU DANIEL CHIUGO (PHD)
Partner
Qualifications
LLB, LLM, PhD
Dr. Ugochukwu Daniel Chiugo is a Law Teacher and Solicitor, called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He holds degrees in Law and Political Science (International Relations) from the University of Lagos and a PhD in African Law from the University of Ibadan. He has specialized certificates in Mediation, Public Service/Interest Lawyering, Leadership and Management for Integrity, and International Humanitarian Law. Dr. Chiugo has been involved in clinical legal education, teaching, and moderating various law courses. He has presented at numerous workshops and conferences, and his publications cover clinical legal education, human rights, access to justice, and labor/industrial law.
ILECHUKWU CHISOM GIFT
Consultant
Qualifications
MSc Computing (Information Systems Management), LLB (Hons), B.Tech (Hons) Management Technology
Ilechukwu Chisom Gift specializes in the integration of law, media, and technology for inclusive governance. She has coordinated the development of a globally recognized governance monitoring portal and provides technical and peer learning support to various groups, including the National Democratic Institute and World Bank Africa region. Chisom is a pioneer in open contracting practices and has contributed to frameworks for economic regulation, Fair Use copyright licensing, cybersecurity, data privacy, and e-commerce. She is also a corruption risk assessor and writes governance-related opinions for various platforms.
ANTHONY EJEWA
Associate
Anthony Ejewa is a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, called to the Bar in 2007. He has extensive litigation experience, handling cases in capital market disputes, tenancies, criminal defenses, debt recovery, and more. He has practiced at all levels of courts in Nigeria and has experience in legislative drafting, property documentation, family and probate administration, and public finance management. He is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered.
ODIAS MAXWELL
Associate
Odias Maxwell specializes in institutional and regulatory reforms, particularly in Public Financial Management (PFM) Systems and Public Procurement Reforms. He has worked on numerous PFM projects, developing procurement regulations and standard bidding documents. Odias has been involved in scoping studies, evaluations, and international agency-funded projects, including corruption risk assessments. He also contributes to litigation, human rights enforcement, and access to information cases. Odias holds a Certification in Public Administration and an LLB from the University of Abuja, admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
EYONG PEACE OKOI
Associate
Qualifications
MPhil, LLM
Eyong Peace Okoi is part of the Corporate and Commercial practice and the Regulatory and Institutional Reform team. With about 15 years of experience in commercial and corporate practice, she has handled detailed due diligence, compliance evaluations, and legal support for new investors. Eyong has also worked on joint venture partnerships, providing legal support for new business opportunities in Nigeria. She holds an MPhil and an LLM in International Law from the University of Aberdeen and is a Solicitor of the Superior Courts of England and Wales.
ECHEM DANIEL EBUKA
Associate
Qualifications
LLM
Echem Daniel Ebuka is part of the Corporate and Commercial, Regulatory and Institutional Reform team. He has experience in international corporate law, company secretarial practice, and corporate governance. Echem provides full company secretarial services, supports board audit and governance committees, and assists foreign investors with due diligence and regulatory reviews. He has also contributed to the development of corporate governance tools and the implementation of public procurement and Freedom of Information Act learning programs. Echem holds a Master’s Degree in International Corporate Law from the University of Leeds and is a member of various professional organizations.
LI XIUYING
Consultant
Li Xiuying has experience working on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Asia, including power plant projects and healthcare services. She has advised on PPP models, due diligence, negotiations, and compliance with Nigerian Local Content regimes. Li has supported corruption risk assessments and contributed to the development of compliance tools and processes. Her research interests include compliance under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Anti-Bribery Act.