Our team
Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN, FCIArb, FBR.
Mr. Mike Igbokwe is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (equivalent to the English Queen’s Counsel) and the Head of the Dispute Resolution Team. He is experienced and skilled in drafting and perfecting various legal documents and in conducting various civil, criminal and arbitration matters in trial, appellate courts and Tribunals respectively.
An experienced Arbitration Practitioner, he also sits as Chairman and Member of Arbitral Panels to resolve local and international commercial disputes. He has delivered papers on arbitration topics including ‘Award Writing’, ‘Ethics in Arbitration’ and ‘The ECOWAS Energy Protocol: Genesis, Objectives and State of Play’, at local and international arbitration Conferences. He was for two years (2016-2018) the Chairman of the Energy and Power Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria. In December 2018, in recognition of his track record, wealth of experience and commitment to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria, he was appointed a member of the Governing Council of the Institute. He is a Member of International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria and Executive Council Member of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria.
He is also a notable Business Insolvency, Restructuring and Rescue Practitioner who has acted as Receiver-Manager for various shipping and other companies on behalf of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and other financial institutions. He has presented papers at international seminars organized by Insolvency International (INSOL) and locally by AMCON and Business Recovery & Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), a Member Association of INSOL. Some of the papers are, ‘Receivership under the AMCON Act: Scope and Application’, presented at the 2017 AMCON Interaction with the Federal High Court Judges and Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal and; ‘Receivership Under the AMCON Act: Application and Scope’ delivered at the 2016 AMCON’s Annual Seminar for External Solicitors on the AMCON Act. He was also a Panelist who discussed the topic ‘Business Rescue & Restructuring-Looking inward in a Global World’, at the 2018 International Conference of BRIPAN. He is a Fellow of BRIPAN (FBR). In December 2018, he was appointed a member of the Governing Council of BRIPAN.
Mr. Igbokwe continuously informs, educates and shares legal experiences with the public. He advises commercial and banking clients and informs policy makers and law makers in the transportation and commercial fields through his articles, consultancy services and works on topical issues.
He is one of the select few who assiduously worked and advocated for the enactment of the Cabotage Act, 2003 and wrote the most comprehensive book on maritime cabotage titled, “Nigerian Maritime Cabotage Law and Policy: The Case and Advocacy.” He also extensively researched on and drafted the Bill on “The Suppression of Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts at Sea (and Other related Offences)”, sponsored by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Federal Ministry of Transport. In addition to his expertise in the shipping industry, he was appointed as the Africa Regional Representative in the Maritime and Transport Committee of the International Bar Association for three years (2016-2018). He is the 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, an affiliate of the Comite Maritime Internationale (CMI).
As a result of the foregoing positions and roles, he had developed the ability to define issues, strategize, propose solutions and implement changes that significantly add value and contribute to the positive development and progress of the Firm’s clients and the relevant sectors.
He is an excellent team player, a mobilizer, a leader of persons and an extensive global traveller.
Education
LL.B (Hons) University of Lagos, Nigeria 1983
PGD (Maritime Law-Distinction) Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria 2000
LLM (Maritime & Commercial Law) Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria 2002
Bar Admissions
Barrister and Solicitor, Nigeria 1984.
Notary Public for Nigeria, 1992
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 2004
Professional Associations
Member, Nigerian Bar Association
Member, International Bar Association
2nd Vice President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Nigerian Affiliate of CMI
Associate, Nigerian Shippers’ Council
Associate Member, Nigerian Shipowners’ Association
Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.
Chairman of Energy & Power Committee, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.
Fellow and Governing Council Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.
Executive Council, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria.
Member, International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria.
Governing Council Member & Fellow, Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN)
Member, Insolvency International (INSOL)
Udorah Igbokwe (Mrs.)
Mrs. Igbokwe’s wealth of banking experience draws from over two decades of qualitative service in the top ranks of the Nigerian banking industry and financial institutions. She has managed businesses and transactions for many high profile individuals and companies both locally and internationally.
Her wealth of qualitative managerial experience is now evidenced in the excellent organisation and overall smooth operation of our law Firm.
Education
OND (Banking & Finance), Lagos State Polytechnic, Nigeria 1985
B.Sc (Hons.) University of Benin, Nigeria 1989
MBA (Business Administration), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria 2000
Professional Careers
Head of Administration & Accounts, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) & Co.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MND Energy Services Limited
Regional Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Yaba 2008 – 2011
Acting Regional Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Marina 2007
Branch Manager, United Bank for Africa Plc, Marina 2005 – 2008
Branch Manager, Head Office Branch, Standard Trust Bank Plc. 2003 – 2005
Head Financial Institutions, Standard Trust Bank Plc 2003
Profit Center Manager, Corporate Banking Group, Standard Trust Bank Plc., Ikeja 2001 – 2002
Profit Center Manager, Public Sector Group1, Standard Trust Bank Plc., Ikeja March to July 2001
Profit Center Manager, Financial Institution and Treasury Marketing Department, Standard Trust Bank Limited, Ikeja January to March 2000
Head, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1997-1999
Head, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1997-1999
Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1995-1997
Credit and Marketing Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1994-1995
Operations Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1992-1994
Intercontinental Control and Accounting Department, Kapital Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1990-1991
Operations and Computer Department, Kapital Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1990
Head, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1997-1999
Head, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1997-1999
Treasury and Foreign Exchange Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1995-1997
Credit and Marketing Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1994-1995
Operations Department, Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1992-1994
Intercontinental Control and Accounting Department, Kapital Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1990-1991
Operations and Computer Department, Kapital Merchant Bank Ltd, Ikeja 1990
Winifred Tayo-Oyetibo
Mrs. Tayo-Oyetibo’s main areas of practice include Dispute Resolution, Shipping, Aviation, Restructuring, Insolvency, Intellectual Property and Corporate Governance and Secretariat Services. In the course of her practice, she has gained invaluable civil and commercial litigation experience across the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria on matters relating to her key areas of practice.
She was also involved in a landmark Judgment on the charge of stamp duties on deposits with banks and a landmark Judgment of the Supreme Court on the limitation period whilst litigation is pending in Court.
Mrs. Tayo-Oyetibo is articulate, intelligent, thorough, always wanting to ensure that clients’ instructions and goals are carried out and attained within set deadlines and clients’ interests protected. She has a flair for organising clients’ and officer affairs and matters.
Sir Adolphus Nwachukwu
Over the years, Sir Nwachukwu had developed a flare for and carved a niche for himself in Dispute Resolution, Maritime, Banking, Debt Recovery & Insolvency, Intellectual Property, Matrimonial Causes and Criminal matters.
In his course of legal practice, Adolphus has written articles on:
“The Maritime Perspective of the African Continental Free Trade Act”
“Covid-19 Pandemic, Virtual Practice and their impact on the Catholic Lawyer”
“Revisiting the Security for Costs in Admiralty Matters”
Sir Nwachukwu is hardworking, diligent, intelligent, meticulous and attentive to the minutest detail. He is a good team player.
Education
Diploma in Latin, Saint Mary’s Seminary, Nigeria 1993
OND (Accounting and Auditing) Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria 1998
LLB (Hons.), 2nd Class Upper Degree, University of Ilorin, Nigeria 2003
LLM. University of Lagos, Nigeria 2009.
Bar Admissions
Barrister and Solicitor, Nigeria 2005
Professional Associations
Member, Nigerian Bar Association
Member, Business Recovery & Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN)