Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, will lead other recipients to be honoured at this year's edition of ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2021, for their outstanding roles in pursuit of deepening conversations around restructuring and fiscal federalism.
Unveiling the winners and awards categories at a press conference in Lagos recently, CEO of ESQ Award, Mr. Lere Fashola, said the awards is to celebrate those making waves through innovation in the legal profession and the quantum of deals in the last 18 months.
Fashola said the awards, which is in 25 categories, received over 500 entries.
“The awards are geared to celebrate law, lawyers over landmark events in the last 18months. We recognise the important role that lawyers play. This year, we will rely on international ranking between July 2019 and December 2020.
"Basically, the award covers around 25 categories. We have received over 500 entries. Talking about the biggest law firm, such as Aluko Oyebode and Olaniwun Ajayi & Co. We have also added some strategic stakeholders in the Fintech Sector, such as some directors of wave making Paystak, Flutterwave etal.
“We also have the rising stars award, talking about 40 and under-40 lawyers, that are doing well with innovations.” He said.
The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2021 edition is set to hold this November in Lagos at the Landmark Event Centre, with lots of firms, In-house teams and legal professionals making the shortlist.
Currently, in its 11th year, the Nigerian Legal Awards aims to celebrate and recognise the role and importance of lawyers, legal departments in companies, and legal professionals to businesses across Africa, and, has become a highly coveted recognition by many companies and Law Firms in Nigeria.
This year’s edition promises to be an exciting and extraordinary event, says the organiser, as notable personalities, dignitaries, government officials and the CEOs of companies are set to be in attendance.
Other notable personalities who will be honoured at this years’ event include; Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Life Member of the Honourable Body of Benchers; Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, Founder and Chairman, Aluko & Oyebode; Mrs. Beatrice Hamza Bassey, Board Chairman, Union Bank of Nigeria; Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, Board Chairman, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, etc.
The Finalists and categories are as follows: General Counsel of the Year; Abiodun Peters (Nigerian Bottling Company); Leo Okafor (United Capital PLC); Irene Robinson –Ayanwale (Nigerian Exchange Limited).
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In-house Category - Banking and Finance Sector: Sterling Bank Plc; Energy and Power Sector.
Others include: Eko Electricity Distribution Plc; Manufacturing Sector; Nigerian Bottling Company Limited; Seven up Bottling Company; Berger Paints Nigeria Plc; Oil and Gas Sector and Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc.
The Telecommunication Sector has MTN; Main One Cable Company Limited; Capital Market & Investment and United Capital Plc.
Law firm Category (mid practice) has Solola & Akpana; The Penthouse Solicitors; Bloomfield; Resolution Law firm and DOA. In the Law Firm Category (small practice), there are Deal HQ partners; Stark Legal and Pavestones Legal. While in the Law Firm Category (large practice), we have G. Elias & Co; Aluko & Oyebode; Aelex and Advocaat.
In the Managing Partner of the Year Category, there are Adeleke Alex-Adedipe (Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe); Charles Ajiboye (The Penthouse Solicitors); Esosa Omo-Usoh (Solola & Akpana); Tosin Ajose (Deal HQ Partners); Oladotun Alokolaro (Advocaat Law Practice).
The Practice Based Category has Banking and Finance Team of The Year; Deal HQ Partners; Olajide Oyewole LLP and Solola & Akpana. The New Practice (TNP), has G. Elias & Co; Detail Commerical Solicitors; Alliance Law firm; Bloomfield; Aelex; Advocaat Law Practice; Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe; Aluko & Oyebode.
The Capital Markets Team of The Year has Greychapel Legal; The Metropolitan Law Firm; The New Practice; Wigwe and Partners; Bloomfield; Olaniwun Ajayi LP; The Metropolitan Law Firm; Alliance Law firm; G. Elias & Co; Aluko & Oyebode and Aelex.
Private Equity Team of The Year: The New Practice; Detail Commerical Solicitors; Bloomfield Law; Aluko & Oyebode; G. Elias & Co; Corporate and Commercial Team of The Year; Deal HQ Partners; Olajide Oyewole LLP; Solola & Akpana; Wigwe and Partners; G. Elias & Co; Famsville Solicitors; Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe; Details Commerical Solicitors; Bloomfield; Aluko & Oyebode; Alliance Law firm; Aelex.
The Dispute Resolution Team of The Year has Bridgeforte Attorneys; Olajide Oyewole LLP; Solola & Akpana; The New Practice (TNP); Stark Legal; Strachan Partners; Aelex; Alliance law firm; Bloomfield; Aluko & Oyebode; G. Elias & Co; Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Wole Olanipekun & Co.
Energy & Power Team of The Year: Solola & Akpana; G. Elias & Co; Bloomfield LP; Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Aelex; Aluko & Oyebode and Advocaat. Law PracticeIntellectual Property Team of The Year include: Bridgeforte Attorneys; Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe; Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Aelex; Olajide Oyewole LLP; The New Practice (TNP); Aluko & Oyebode and DLA Piper Africa.
These nominees among other categories such as the Merger and Acquisition Team of The Year; Telecommunication & Technology Team of The Year; Media and Entertainment Team of The Year; Intellectual Property Team of The Year; Mining Team of The Year; Shipping and Maritime Team of The Year; Labour and Employment Team of The Year and Immigration Team of The Year, will be given due recognition and rewarded on the awards night.
