Our Partners

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

SENIOR PARTNER

Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN Ph.D. (Osgoode)

Dr. Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affiliate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc.

He has over 39 years of experience in corporate governance, insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and oil and gas. He has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983 and Ontario, Canada, in June 2016, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He holds a doctorate in cross-border insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on Norm Life Cycle Theory and the role of INSOL International in shaping the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency.

He is a member of the Board of Directors (Trustees) of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD), INSOL International, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN), and International Insolvency Institute (III).

He is an experienced corporate director knowledgeable in global capital market operations and business restructuring. He chaired Capital Hotel Plc (2017 – 2022) and currently chairs Ikeja Hotel Plc and The Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, all listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). He is also a director of Royal Exchange Plc, listed on NGX and chairs the Statutory Audit Committee of Seplat Energy Plc, listed on NGX and the London Stock Exchange (LSE). He was elected the President of the Asaba Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) in 2022 and is the 1ST Deputy President of the Delta State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA). He holds a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School, a certificate in Blockchain Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus Business School.

Idigbe is the founder of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA). He chaired the 2017 Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee, which reviewed the regulation of the legal profession in Nigeria. In 2013 he was appointed the National Coordinator for Nigeria, World Bank Global Forum of Law, Justice and Development Project on Treatment of Shareholders' Rights in Insolvency of Companies (2013 to 2014); and in 2012 a Member of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force set up by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. In addition, he chaired the Technical Drafting Committee for the Bill that became the Investment and Securities Act 2007. He recently chaired the review committee for the same law resulting in the Investment and Securities Bill now before the National Assembly. As a consultant to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, he and now Hon Justice Nnamdi Dimgba drafted the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Bill now Act relating to anti-trust and competition law in Nigeria.

Idigbe was the consultant that drafted the IOD charter bill and was a member of the IOD charter committee pursuing the promulgation of the law. Also, he is an active facilitator for the IOD on members' training. In addition, his book, the Legal Issues in Capital Market Operation in Nigeria, 2nd edition, Distinct Universal Limited, Lagos, 2015 ISBN 978-33791-8-3, is a reference material for training and practice of corporate governance and capital market operations in Nigeria.

For a full view of his profile, check www.anthonyidigbe.com
MANAGING PARTNER

Elizabeth O. Idigbe

Elizabeth is the Managing Partner and Partner in charge of Energy & Power, Real Estate, Trust & Wealth Management and Company Secretarial Practice Groups.

A Law graduate of the University of Benin (1986) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. She obtained an LLM from the University of Lagos in 1989. She is also a full member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON); A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb 2017 - 2019), UK and an executive member of the Institute’s Nigeria Branch.

With over 33 years work experience, Elizabeth is reputed for her expertise in Security Documentation; Real Property Transactions; Estate Management; Debt Recovery/Factoring and Business Restructuring; Perfection of Title; Company Secretarial Services, Employment Law and General Corporate Practice.

Her experience covers both corporate and private practice. She started off in the banking industry and rose to the position of the Company Secretary of a major deposit bank. She proceeded to the Oil & Gas sector where she also left a remarkable footprint working as the General Manager in charge of Human Resources, Corporate Services and Company Secretarial of a major oil marketing company in Nigeria before returning to the Firm.

A recipient of several awards, she is also known for her unflinching support to the less privileged through her personal efforts and work in PUNUKA Foundation.

Nnamdi Oragwu

Nnamdi heads the Firm's Litigation, Taxation, Maritime, Aviation and Transport Law Practice Groups. He obtained his LLB from the University of Benin (1999) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000. He has over 15 years post qualification experience, he has garnered skills in advocacy and has represented clients both at trials and the appellate courts.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Nigeria Branch).

Practice Areas: Litigation , Maritime, Aviation & Transport Law , Oil & Gas , Tax

Okorie Kalu

Okorie is a Partner at the Firm and currently heads the Insolvency and Training/Special Projects Practice Groups. He graduated from the Universite du Benin (now Universite de Lome) where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Law as well as Masters degree in Commercial Law. He also attended the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004.

Okorie is fluent in both French and English. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Second Deputy President MBA SBL Committee on Banking, Finance and Insolvency; General Secretary and Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN). He is also a member and fellow, INSOL International.

Practice Areas: Company Secretariat, Insolvency , Litigation , Oil & Gas , Special Projects / Training

Ebelechukwu Enedah

Ebele is a Partner in the Firm and heads the Capital Market, Family Law and Wealth Management Practice Groups. She obtained her LLB with Honours from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 2004 and graduated from the Nigerian Law School with a Second Class (Upper Division) in 2006.

She has a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration and Management and is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). She is currently a Student Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

Practice Areas: Capital Market, Corporate Commercial Law, Family Law / Wealth Management, Litigation , Special Projects / Training

Isioma heads the Media & Entertainment Practice Group.

She obtained her Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the University of Kent, Canterbury in 2014 and graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2015. She has a Certificate Course in Entertainment Law from the Osgoode Law School, University of York, Toronto, Canada.

She is a member of the: Nigerian Bar Association, the International Association Entertainment Lawyers (IAEL); She is the founder and first president of the University of Kent Nigerian Law Society and a student mentor in the Kent Law School Professional Mentoring Scheme.

Isioma is the Secretary of the Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN) and is also the Managing Director of Verif Content – a due diligence checks company on Intellectual Property in Nigeria.

She is a recipient of the Rising Star Award at the 2018 Law Digest Awards in recognition of her legal work in the Nigerian Media and Entertainment Industry.

Practice Areas: Company Secretarial, Energy/Power, Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment, New Business/Regulatory

Eric is a Partner and heads Firm's Abuja branch office and the Energy/Power Practice Group. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2009 and joined the Firm in 2014. He has an LLM from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK 2013.

He is a member of the: Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, International Association for Contract and Commercial Management, and International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum.

Practice Areas: Company Secretarial , Energy / Power, Insolvency, Litigation , Special Projects / Training

Onyeka is a Partner and heads the Asaba branch office. He is also the Assistant Litigation Practice Group Head.

Onyeka obtained his LL.B from the University of Benin in 2010 were he was Head of Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe Chambers . He was called to the Bar in 2012 with a Second Class Upper Honours. He is currently an LLM student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Chamber of Arbitrators Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF), an associate member Nigerian Institute of Management.

Practice Areas: Arbitration, Energy / Power, Insolvency, Litigation, Property, Special Project / Training

Gloria is a Partner and heads the New Business/Regulatory Practice Group.

She obtained her LLB from the University of Benin in 2010. She also obtained a Barrister -at- Law Degree with a Second Class Upper honours from the Nigerian Law School in 2011. She is based at the Firm’s Abuja office.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Young Lawyers Association (YLA)

Practice Areas: Company Secretarial, Intellectual Property, Litigation, New Business/Regulatory

Emuobonuvie is the Firm's Arbitration Practice Group Head and Assistant Practice Group Head for Property Law Group.

He graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2011 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, he has served on several committees of the Lagos Branch of the association.

He is an ardent member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Nigeria Branch) and serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the Young Members Group of the institute.

Practice Areas: Arbitration, Litigation (Criminal and Civil), Martime, Aviation and Transport Law, New Business/Regulatory, Property

Tobenna is the Assistant Practice Group Head for both Insolvency Law and Capital Market.

He obtained his Law degree from the University of Ilorin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013.

Prior to joining PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors. Tobenna worked with a leading Nigerian Law firm in Lagos where he acquired extensive experience in Corporate-Commercial Litigation and Arbitration.

Practice Areas: Capital Market, Insolvency, Litigation, Property, Special Projects / Training

Adeyinka is the Assistant Head for the Maritime, Aviation and Transport Law Practice Groups. He obtained his LL.B from University of Ilorin in 2014 with Second Class Upper Honours. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School for his BL where he graduated with Second Class Upper Honours and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2015.

Over the years, Adeyinka has developed sheer bias for Litigation (Criminal and Civil) with keen interest in ADR. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and Young Lawyers Forum.

Practice Areas: Litigation , Martime, Aviation and Transport Law