AI Magazine Issue 12 2018

44 Acquisition International - Issue 12 2018 Akabogu & Associates is a law practise offering full business law services across Nigeria, however its flagship Shipping and Marine Practise Group is the real jewel in its crown having become an acknowledged industry leader. igerian-based law firm, Akabogu & Associates, offers services which cut across legal advisory, due diligence, claims handling, documentation and litigation and its practice areas cover the range of business sectors of the economy, providing services for both large establishments and less structured informal clientele. Mr Emeka Akabogu, the firm’s founder, tells us a little more about its dedication to serve. “We are committed to continually delivering value through personal commitment and fidelity to the little things that make out clients successful,” he explains. “We provide bespoke solutions for peculiar problems. We are able to do these by drawing on our deep knowledge of the Nigeria legal and regulatory regimes. We equally draw on the expertise of a wide network of resource partners to effectively provide solutions beyond direct legal needs.” Regarding its renowned Shipping and Marine Practice Group, the firm’s expertise is wide-ranging, including admiralty claims, cargo representation, marine insurance, marine environment, carriage of goods by sea, international trade, ports and terminals. The group also provides technical guidance in the preparation of financing-facility documentation, and also acts as solicitors for ship sale and purchase transactions. “Our mastery of the Nigerian cabotage regime is widely acknowledged,” Mr Akabogu embellishes. “We work with a wide range of experts across the maritime industry including ship brokers, marine engineers, financial consultants, marine underwriters and local shipping companies. We consult for government and non-governmental bodies on a diverse range of shipping and related commercial areas. Our clients include cargo and ship owners, agents, brokers, port and terminal operators, P&I clubs, shipping companies, financial institutions, government and non-government organisation.” Contact: Emeka Akabogu Company: Akabogu & Associates Address: 15B Olajide George Street, Lekki Scheme 1 Lekki Penninsula P. O. Box 53076, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria Telephone: +234-(0)1-4605550 Web Address: https:// akabogulaw.com/ Sailing the High Seas N 1808AI06 Mr. Akabogu himself is a widely recognised expert in the field of maritime law and policy in Nigeria, and he leads the resourceful and enterprising team at Akabogu & Associates. He holds a law degree from the University of Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000. He also holds a Master’s degree, with specialisation in Maritime Laws, from the University College London. He has researched and represented clients in related and cross-cutting fields of law including maritime, shipping, international trade, energy, logistics, aviation and intellectual property. He brings a robust, incisive and problem-solving perspective to client challenges, setting the tone for the firm’s service delivery. Mr. Akabogu has sat on various industry and government committees on maritime policy and shipping development, and is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences. His book, ‘Maritime Cabotage in Nigeria’, was the first published work on the subject in Nigeria, and is in addition to numerous other published articles. Mr. Akabogu is the Convener of the globally acclaimed OTL Africa Downstream Expo, which has become the principal downstream petroleum event in Africa. He regularly resorts to his broad industry knowledge and networks in solving diverse legal problems. He is a recipient of the prestigious British Chevening Scholarship, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping, and the publisher of the niche-market industry-leading magazine, Marine & Petroleum Nigeria. He serves on the Executive Council of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association as Publicity Secretary. “We are committed to continually delivering value through personal commitment and fidelity to the little things that make out clients successful...”