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REAL PROPERTY
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ESTATES & WILLS

A priority for business owners and private individuals alike is the preservation of their assets and business interests after death, making use of various instruments such as trusts, wills etc. This not only prevents the problems associated with intestacy but also provides a measure of confidence and peace of mind to the testator whilst alive, knowing that his affairs will be properly managed and his wishes honoured. We advise and assist many Clients in the settlement of their estates through setting up of Wills, Trusts, Foundations and other similar instruments.


PROPERTIES

The Firm has unparalleled expertise in all aspects the law, administration and regulation of Real Property. We specialise in rectification and perfection of title, documentation, and general due diligence.


INDICATIVE (Non-Exhaustive) SAMPLES OF MAJOR TRANSACTIONS

General Financing

   Lead counsel and legal advisers to a major indigenous company in the acquisition of rights in a Build Operate and Transfer (“BOT”) project involving the construction, operation and maintenance of gas pipeline network between Lagos and Port Harcourt and the western part of the Lekki Peninsula, Lagos State; establishment of the Joint Venture SPV for this purpose among our Client and two other major companies.

   Legal advisers to an indigenous company and its Chinese Technical partners, as core investors in their acquisition of a Nigerian truck manufacturing company based in Kano under Nigerian BPE’s privatisation exercise. The transaction was valued US$6,400,000.00.

   Lead advisers to a Nigerian consortium in the acquisition of the entire operations and undertakings of a major Private Telephone Operator and Data Services Provider.

   Legal Advisers and counsel to a major Nigerian Equity company for the USD$15,000,000 (fifteen million United States dollar) financing for a Nigerian oil service company and, later also, for the financing and restructuring of a Drilling group of companies.


Cross-Border Transaction

Legal advisers (in conjunction with a US law firm) to a major Texas-based Oil and Gas equipment manufacturing and leasing company, advising on a suitable equipment-leasing structure between the Texas-based Company and a Nigerian affiliate of a US oil servicing Company, advising on tax matters and on legal issues involved in cross-border transactions.
Arrangements for the Operations and Development of Nigerian Oil Fields Concessions

   Negotiated, structured and finalized participation agreements and arrangements between indigenous companies and foreign companies for the participation in development, exploration and operations of Oil Field concessions in Nigeria.

   Legal support for major indigenous Oil and Gas Companies including a State-owned corporation from the bid rounds through negotiation of Production Sharing Contracts with NNPC.

   Negotiating, drawing up and/or revising and finalising for execution, relevant agreements and contracts for the provision of equipment, goods and services to operators in the Oil and Gas Companies.

Indigenous/Marginal Field Operations

   Legal consultancy and advice to several major indigenous Operators on financing and development and operations of Nigerian Oil Marginal field concessions.

   Legal advisory and support to a mid-size indigenous operator in PSC with the National Nigerian Petroleum Corporation.

   Legal support and advisory for a major indigenous oil field services company in transitioning to a full-fledged E & P Company.


Financing Nigerian Oil Fields

   Negotiation, structuring and documentation of the US$35,000,000 (Thirty-Five Million US Dollars) investment by a major Equity Company as a strategic investor in the development and operations of a local joint venture between a Nigerian Marginal Oil Field.

   Legal advisers and consultants to the foreign shareholding company for the US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United States Dollars) Hybrid Financing by a Nigerian Capital & Investment bank for the financing of cash calls towards the development of a Nigerian Marginal Field. This transaction is remarkable in that it involved a local Nigerian Financial Institution providing financing directly to a foreign entity and it involved collaboration with counsel and dealing with laws/regulations across three different jurisdictions: - the United Kingdom, the British Virgin Island and Nigeria.


Regulatory and Compliance

   Consultants and advisers to one of the major International Oil Companies, in various Oil & Gas matters, as well as on general legal matters; assisted the Company to develop a Legal/Regulatory Compliance database relating to Oil and Gas, IPP/Electricity and Tax issues by reviewing relevant laws, guidelines, contracts and other industry specific laws and advising on compliance issues based thereon.

   Legal advisers to NAPIMS on tax matters, notably a legal opinion on Capital Allowances under the Petroleum Profits Tax Act.

   Conducted FCPA Compliance Training and Workshops for affiliates of a major oil services company's Sub-Saharan Africa Group in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Malabo (EG).

   Conducted Legal Documentary/Securitisation Audit of the Loans Portfolio of a major first-generation Bank with branches all over Nigeria and abroad, and a major mortgage banking institution.

   Advised a US based small Ghanaian-owned consultancy firm in preparation of its successful defence in a possible FCPA indictment proceeding.

   One of a team of law firms responsible for drafting new regulations for the implementation of various sections (47 and 48) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act – (on-going project).

   Part of a two-firm team that worked on the Development of Operational Guidelines, including a Code of Business Conduct, for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

   Major restructure of the domestic and off-shore entities of local conglomerate to minimize adverse tax exposure of its shareholders and directors in various jurisdictions, especially with the impact of post 9-11 anti-terrorism and money laundering laws and regulations.

NOTE:

We generally treat work for and on behalf of clients with the utmost confidentiality. The few we have recited here are indicative, only. We may be able to share more examples, strictly on a “needs to share” basis and to the extent necessary only to provide reassurance of the Firm’s competencies and capabilities. Given the confidential nature of Mediation, no example is given here among many that the Firm has helped to resolve successfully. Again, if necessary, we may be able to share more examples, but strictly on a “needs to share” basis.