ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards Honours Heavyweights In Legal Community

The AWARDS ESQ LEGAL Saturday held its 2019 40 under 40 awards

The event which brought so much glamour and excitement as the organizers decided to do something special by introducing the new award category, 40 under 40 Rising Stars to recognize the important contributions and commitment to the future prosperity of the legal profession and celebrate 40 Leading Nigerian Lawyers Under 40 who will shape the future of the legal profession in Nigeria was held at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Convener of the event, Mr. Lere Fashola delivering his welcome address noted that the role of new wigs and younger lawyers in the profession cannot be overlooked.

“With the best grooming, training and mentorship and the right work ethics, they can aspire and certainly reach for the peak of the profession.

“It is for this reason that ESQ is building the first professional co-work station for lawyers. The station will be a hub for cutting edge continuing legal education and innovative legal practice. They are the future of the legal profession in Nigeria and they must join the moving train.

“What makes the 2019 edition of the Nigerian Legal Awards unique is the attention that we have paid to every aspect of the planning process. From the pooling of our distinguished Judges to the nominations stage, from the selection of venue to the engagement of the Judges and eventually to this very moment, we have ensured to be meticulous at arriving at every critical point of this award ceremony.

“This is the 10^th year of the award and so far it’s been great.

“The award committee also decided to specially recognize the youngest Senior Advocate of Nigeria, MuyiwaOyetola, who became a Senior Advocate at 34,” Fashola said.

He also mentioned that why they decide to organize this award ceremony annually was to celebrate the contributions of wonderful legal professionals that have distinguished themselves in Nigeria and that the 40 Under 40 awards to General Counsel and Heads of Legal of various Private and Public Institutions were drawn from different sectors in Nigeria.

The Chairman, Panel of Judges. Dr. Akin Olugbade, who has been serving in this capacity for the past 10 years, in his opening remark said that it was an honour for him serving as the Chairman Panel of Judges all these years and this will be the last time he will act in this capacity, let others be given the capacity to serve also. He thanked the sponsors of the event for their immense support all these years.

The awards session came with over 30 categories, and the first recipient Cecilia Akintomide, Former. Vice President Secretary-General, African Development Bank, received an Honorary award for African Business Law Icon of the Year, the Nigerian Legal Awards- 

Global Business Law Icon of the Year was awarded to Dr. Sandie Okoro is Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the World Bank Group.

Business Lawyer of the Year went to Mr. Olumide Apata, former NBA-SBL Chairman

African Business Lawyer of the year was awarded to Shola Adepetun, 1^st Nigerian to be the chairman of Standard Chartered Bank

Company Secretary of the year went to Mr. Bode Ayeku.

Legal Amazon of the Year was awarded to Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour SAN

Managing Partner of the Year (Mid-Size Practice) was awarded to Adeniyi Duale

Private Equity Team of the Year award was won by The New Practice

The Capital market team of the year was won by Aluko & Oyebode

Dispute Resolution team of the year was won by Aluko & Oyebode

Corporate & Commercial Team of the year was won by The New Practice

International Breweries won the Manufacturing In-House Team of the Year

Oil & Gas Team of the Year was awarded to NNPC

Shipping & Transport In-House Team of the Year was won by Lagos State Bus Service

Telecoms In-house team of the year was won by 9 Mobile

Legal Business Partner of the Year was awarded to MyLaw

The Legal Tech firm of the year was awarded to the Law Pavilion

Infrastructure in-house team of the year was won by Dangote Group

Information Tech in-house team of the year was won by Interswitch Group

Immigration Team of the year was won by Olajide & Oyewole

Intellectual Property team of the year went to Jackson Etti& Edu

Insolvency team of the year went to G. Elias & Co

Telecoms & Technology Team of the year also went to G. Elias & Co

Energy & power In-house team of the year went to Ikeja Electric

Capital Market in-house team of the year went to the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Banking & finance team of the year went to Zenith Bank

Corporate restructuring team of the year went to DCSL Corporate Services Ltd

Real Estate & Construction team of the year went to Church gate

Aluko & Oyebode was named the Law Firm of the Year (Large Practice)

It is interesting to note that Aluko & Oyebode was shortlisted in Ten Categories for the 2019 ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards in the various categories:

• Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice
• Banking and Finance
• Capital Market
• Oil and Gas
• Dispute Resolution
• Energy and Power
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Private Equity
• Real Estate and Construction
• Telecommunications and Technology

They emerged winners in three categories

Some of the recipients of the 40 under 40 awards were.

Charles Ajiboye, Chukwuemeka Osuji, Damola Salawu, Adetola Kazeem, Jumoke Fajemirokun, Laura Alakija, Lilian Fagbayi, Oghior Okaih, Okubote Abayoyi, Alajumoke Arowolo, Olubukunola Olateru, Onyiyechi Iwuoha, Otsemobor Funmilayo, RafiuTolani Kolawole, Reginald Aziza, Rita Abengowe, Seun Idowu, Temilolu Ashamu, Uzoamaka Emerole, Zion Adeoye, and many more…

Those who presented the awards to the winners were;

Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, Dr. Akin Olugbade, Prof Yinka Omo,  Mr. Olumide Apata, Gbenga Oyebide MFR.

Kakaki Cultural Troupe gave a splendid performance during the award.

Sponsors of this year’s ESQ Legal Award were; MTN, Forte Oil, International Breweries, Fan Milk, 7UP Bottling Company, Nigerian Bottling Company, and Cadbury