Board of Directors

Chairman

• Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN

Directors

• Mr. Tunde Busari, SAN
• Mr. Olusoji Olumide Odukoya
• Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN
• Mrs. Adedoyin Oyinkan Rhodes-Vivour, SAN
• Dr. Tunde Ajibade SAN
• Mrs. Abimbla Akeredolu, SAN
• Mr. Olawale Adeola Akoni, SAN
• Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN
• Mr. Babajimi Ayorinde
• Uwa Etigwe, SAN
• Mr. Adesina Salawu
• Mrs. Funmi Roberts
• Mrs. Funmi Iyayi

Biographies

Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN

Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN is a partner and head of the Litigation, Arbitration and ADR Practice Group in Aluko & Oyebode. In December 2008, Tunde was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (a Nigerian equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

He regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in Ad Hoc arbitrations and arbitrations administered by arbitral institutions.  Tunde has also served on the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Committee on the Reform and Harmonization of Arbitration/ADR Laws.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International  Bar Association, The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the London Court of International Arbitration (African Users Council), a Fellow of the  Chartered  Institute  of  Arbitrators  UK and  a  member  of  the International  Arbitration  Institute  (IAI) in Paris. He is a member of the LCIA Court, and he chairs the Management Board of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC). He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA).

His writings on arbitration include:

1. Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions (Sweet & Maxwell), 2016 – Co-Author with John Miles and Kamal Shah);
2. “A Case for a Different Analytical Approach to the Enforcement of International Arbitration Agreements: The M.V. Lupex in Perspective” (2009) Vol. 1 Appellate Review page 81 and
3. “The Principle of Limited Court Intervention Survives in Nigeria … But How Far Will the Courts Go?” – Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 2 August 2013 http://kluwerarbitrationblog.com/blog/author/tundefagbohunlu/

Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN, FCIS, FCIArb

Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN is a graduate of the University of Ife, Nigeria where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (B. Sc). He also obtained the Bachelors degree (LL.B) in Law from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and Masters Degree (LL.M) in Law from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

He practiced law in the firm of Babalakin & Co (a reputable law firm in Nigeria) from 1990 to 1993 as Senior Associate during which he was engaged in solicitors’ practice generally and advocacy with particular attention to Disputes Resolution, Commercial Law Practice, Maritime, Admiralty, Oil & Gas, protection of Intellectual Property, documentation and perfection of transactions etc. In 1993 he established the law firm of Akinwunmi & Busari LP as a founding partner.

Mr Busari is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), Pan African Law Union (PALU), Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), Insol International: International Federation of Insolvency Practitioners, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Professional Practice Group), Intellectual  Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), Executive Committee of the Nigerian Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K, London Court of International Arbitration (Pan African Council), Executive Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG), Lagos, Steering Committee of the Lagos Multi-Door Court House (ADR) Project, National Committee on the Reform and Harmonization of Arbitration and ADR Laws in Nigeria, National Committee on the Harmonization of Road Traffic Laws, National Committee on the Reform of Investment Laws in Nigeria.

Mr. Busari is also a Fellow (FCIArb) and 1^st Vice Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K (Nigeria Branch), Fellow (FCIS) and Past President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Distinguished Fellow of the Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (DFPEFON), Member Education and Membership Committee (EMC) Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Member, Management Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) 2014 till date, Designated representative of Nigeria on the Arbitration Panel of the ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) 2016 – 2022.

Mr Busari served as a Director in the Trans Nigeria Insurance Plc (1999-2003), the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (2006-2007) and Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (2010-2011).

He is a practising domestic and international solicitor, advocate and arbitrator and has acted as counsel in various proceedings. He is a listed arbitrator with the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, Nigerian Communication Commission Arbitration Scheme, Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Lagos and the Kigali International Arbitration Centre, Rwanda.  He is a Notary Public and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

He served as the Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice between 2006 and 2007 and also between 2010 and 2011.

He is a member of the Ikoyi Club 1938, Ikeja Golf Club, Ibadan Polo Club and the Metropolitan Club, Lagos.

Mr. Olumide Olusoji Odukoya MBA, CFE, M.IoD, FCS, FNIM, FCA

Mr. Odukoya Olusoji Olumide attended the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University O.O.U) Ago Iwoye where he obtained his HND in Accounting in 1983 and MBA (Accounting and Finance) in 1997 respectively. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM Chartered) and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Mr. Odukoya is currently the Managing Partner of Olusoji Odukoya & Co (Chartered Tax Practitioners). He was Deputy Registrar/CEO (Corporate Services) at the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) where he retired on March 31, 2016.. He had served in various capacities within the Institute which he joined as Director, Examinations on June 1, 2004. Before joining ICAN, Odukoya had worked in both the private and public sectors for over 21 years. He started his working career at Clerical level at the Federal Audit department (now Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation) in 1977 and left in 1987 as a Chartered Accountant/Senior Auditor. He also worked as Company Secretary/Chief Accountant and later as Management Accountant at Fisheries Services, Ijora and WemaBoard Estates limited within the Odu’a Group of Companies from August 1987 to December 1991; he was Senior Accountant at Electrolux Mandilas Limited (Mandilas Group) from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Odukoya was Group Head of Finance/Dealer at City Securities Limited (FCMB/CSL Group)from 1993 to 1997 and also Deputy Registrar at City Securities (Registrars) Limited. Mr. Odukoya was General Manager, Finance and Investment at Elmac Assurance Nigeria Limited from January 2000 to January 2002.

He also had a brief spell in the Capital Market as General Manager (Operations) at Multinational Investment and Securities Limited before joining the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in April 2002. At CIS, he was Head of Membership Services and Examination departments. Mr. Odukoya has attended various management and professional courses both locally and internationally.

He was born on Monday October 12, 1959 and married to Mrs. Oluwatoyin A. Odukoya, the Director, Nursing Services at the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and the marriage is blessed with children. He is a member of the Ikeja Golf Club, the Lagos Country Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and the Island Club.

Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN , FCIArb (UK)

Mr Ahmed Raji, (SAN) attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where he studied law and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He holds a Masters Degree from University of London. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom. He was elevated with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2012.

Mrs. Adedoyin Oyinkan Rhodes-Vivour (nee Akande), SAN

Mrs. Adedoyin Oyinkan Rhodes-Vivour (nee Akande) is the Managing Partner of Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co. Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators. She is a member of the International Committee on International Commercial Arbitration of the International Law Association (ILA) and the pioneer Chair, Committee on International Commercial Arbitration of the Nigerian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA) Nigerian Branch.
Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour was nominated by Nigeria as a member of the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; PCA at The Hague, The Netherlands (founded under the Hague conventions of 1899 and 1907, the PCA is the oldest standing institution in the field of international dispute settlement). She is a member of the ICC Paris Commission on Arbitration & ADR. She is the Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian Branch.

Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour FCIArb is recognized as one of the world’s leading arbitrators in editions of Who’s Who Legal. She is listed in editions of Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts [Expert Guide] as one of the preeminent professionals in the world. She is listed on various Arbitration/ADR panels including the database of London Court of International Arbitration (LACIAC),the database of the LACIAC-MIAC Arbitration Centre, Panel of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Dubai International arbitration Centre (DIAC), Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), Kuala Lumpur and Lagos Regional Centres for International Commercial Centre, Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi-door Courthouse and Abuja Multi-door Courthouse. She is a supporting member of the LMAA who is generally prepared to take up appointment as arbitrator.

Adedoyin has practiced Law for over 30 years and specializes in commercial transactions, international and domestic arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. She has significant arbitral experience [as presiding arbitrator, co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator] in international and domestic arbitration proceedings. She has acted as counsel in various arbitration proceedings. Her legal practice actively encourages alternative dispute resolution and she has successfully mediated several disputes. She has also acted as consultant to some regulatory bodies for drawing up industry specific arbitration/ADR schemes.

She is a founding member and was pioneer president of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria. She is a member of the Council of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She is a member of the Governing council of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping. She was an Officer of the Mediation Committee of the Legal Practice Division of the International Bar Association (IBA) and was the Committee’s Regional Representative for West Africa. She was the pioneer Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association, Committee on Arbitration/ADR, she was voted chairperson of the year, – Nigeria Bar Association Section on Business Law (2006 and 2009). She is a Notary Public of Nigeria. She was appointed a member of the National Committee on the Reform and Harmonization of Arbitration Laws in Nigeria constituted by the Attorney General of the Federation to review Nigeria’s Arbitration and ADR laws.

She has written several articles on Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution and delivered papers at International and domestic conferences and training events.

Dr. Tunde Ajibade, SAN

Dr Ajibade SAN is the Managing Partner of SPA Ajibade & Co. He has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial arbitration, both domestic and international, and in investment treaty arbitration.

A versatile arbitrator, he co-chairs LACIAC’s energy technical committee.

Dr Ajibade SAN is a council member of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the sub-Committee on Banking, Finance and Insolvency. He was the Chairman of the Capital Market Solicitors Association between 2011 and 2013. He was also the Vice-Chairman of the Rules & Regulations Sub-committee of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission’s Capital Market Committee from 2008 to 2012.

Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN

A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs Akeredolu SAN is renowned for her vast experience in commercial litigation and arbitration. Her multilingual skills (English, French, Italian, and German) make her stand out as a lawyer and arbitrator.

She is a Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo and co-chairs LACIAC’s SMEs technical committee.

Mr. Olawale Adeola Akoni, SAN

A lawyer recognized by ‘Who’s Who Legal’ Magazine, and the ’Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa’ directory, as one of the top business lawyers in Nigeria, Mr Akoni SAN is the Managing Partner of Babalakin and Co.

He is also a Notary Public for Nigeria and has been approved by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission to carry out legal services in the Nigerian Capital Market. He has acted as Chairman of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules Review Panel and Committee Chairman on judicial appointment and bench relations of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Mr Akoni SAN co-chairs LACIAC’s construction technical committee.

Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN

Founder of Yusuf Ali and Co, Mr Ali SAN sco-chairs the Manufacturing technical committee of LACIAC. He is an Affiliate Representative on the Council of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

He was a member of Kwara State High Court Civil Procedure Rules Review Committee (2004) and Chairman Kwara State Law Review Committee (2004-2005).

Mr Ali SAN is the author of several law articles and books and a recipient of various awards.

Mr. Babajimi Ayorinde

Mr Ayorinde is a lawyer at The New Practice with extensive experience in oil & gas law; company and commercial law; project finance; mergers and acquisition; corporate restructuring; structured finance; telecommunication; capital markets; and banking.

He has advised both lenders and borrowers in several complex finance transactions. He also advises on a wide range of energy and commercial transactions.

Currently a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and the Nigerian Bar Association; Mr Ayorinde  co-chairs LACIAC’s SMEs technical committee.

Mr. Uwa Etigwe, SAN

Mr Etigwe SAN  is the Partner in charge of the Dispute Resolution Practice at Streamsowers & Köhn. His litigation and arbitration experience span a wide range of areas including commercial disputes; international trade; oil and gas; telecommunications; company law; maritime and aviation; intellectual property; employment; personal injury; construction; trade disputes; insurance; taxation; banks and other financial institutions. He also has an established reputation as an authority in Nigerian aviation law.

A co-chair of LACIAC’s energy technical committee, Mr Etigwe SAN is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK and a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Mrs. Funmi Roberts

Funmi Roberts is the Founder and Principal Partner of Funmi Roberts & Co. a leading female-owned law firm.

She is an astute leader with outstanding track record in mobilising for corporate and public sector reform, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Funmi, once a lecturer at the faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, is recognised and respected both within and outside the legal profession for her legal, administrative and organisational skills, has the profound ability to utilise her excellent analytical skills to achieve defined impactful objectives and develop novel strategically designed solutions to challenges.

Having graduated top of her class both for her first and masters law degrees and also at the Nigeria Law School, and  gained profound and in-depth experience as a corporate commercial law lawyer, Funmi has utilized her considerable leadership, strategic and organisational skills to grow Funmi Roberts & Co. from a single room Chambers in Ibadan into an internationally recognised law firm with impressive Chambers in Ibadan and Lagos, with focal point in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as well as several international collaborating law firms.

Funmi Roberts, a dispute resolution expert of no mean repute, is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and has served as a member of the highest decision-making body of that umbrella organisation for lawyers in Nigeria (NEC- National Executive Council). This is apart from serving as a member of Council for the Section on Business Law. Funmi is a member of the International Bar Association, Arbitral Women, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria , Society for Corporate Governance, Nigeria, Kigali International Arbitration Centre Panel of International Arbitrators (KIAC),  International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals, Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners of Nigeria (BRIPAN) Institute of Directors, International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration & ADR e.t.c She is a Fellow and tutor of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K, a trainer, Accredited Mediator and member of the Global Mediators of the U.K-based Centre For Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).

Funmi adds value to the several corporate boards she sits on as director and she is a member of the Governing Board of the Oyo State Multidoor Courthouse, Lagos Court of Arbitration amongst others. She is also the Chairman of the National Committee on the repeal and re-enactment of the arbitration governing law in Nigeria, that is, the Arbitration and Conciliation Act CAP A18 LFN.

Mrs. Funmi Iyayi

Funmi Iyayi is the Managing Director of LACIAC.

Funmi is a legal practitioner licensed to practise in Ghana and Nigeria. She worked in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode as a member of the commercial dispute resolution team for several years, where she represented clients in contentious and non-contentious matters as well as functioned as the secretary to arbitral tribunals. Thereafter she served as in-house counsel in one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies, a role she held for two years before joining the Lagos Court of Arbitration as the general counsel. Funmi transitioned to the role of chief executive officer of LACIAC in January 2018 and was appointed a member of the Board in December 2018.