Jude is a senior associate and a core member of the firm’s dispute resolution practice. He has considerable experience representing a wide range of clients, including private and public companies, public/government institutions, multinational corporations and high network individuals (HNI), in landmark, complex, and high ticket (often bet-the-company) cases in a wide range of matters.

His dispute resolution practice, which includes arbitration and mediation, covers banking and financial services, energy (oil and gas), environmental law, labour and employment, investment securities and capital market.

Jude obtained both his masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Sussex, UK, with research interests in the areas of international investment law (international investment arbitration and international investment treaties) and international commercial arbitration and has written extensively in these areas.

Jude also has considerable teaching experience, taking up a position as a doctoral tutor and teaching ‘Introduction to Business Law’ and ‘Justice, Equality and the Society’ modules at the University of Sussex, UK. He also delivers seminars on different areas of law, including the art of legal research.

Prior to rejoining Kenna Partners, Jude gained substantial experience from a reputable dispute resolution law firm in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

In his spare time, Jude enjoys painting and singing karaoke.

Relevant Experience

• Banking and Financial Services: Jude has represented both financial institutions and customers of financial services in matters involving breach of banking-customer relationship (alleged wrongful closure of accounts, alleged wrongful disbursement of funds, etc.), overcharge on loan interest, breach of utilization clause in banking facility.
• Investment securities and capital market: Jude has represented financial institutions and capital market operators in disputes involving relinquishment of shares, non-payment of accrued shares and bonuses, and mismanagement of margin facility, amongst others.
• Energy (oil and gas) and environmental law: Jude has been involved in several matters concerning allegations of environmental degradation by members of host communities. As an integral part of a team, he has successfully defended (based on preliminary objection) a multinational energy company in several suits concerning oil spillage.
• Labour and Employment: Jude’s labour and employment practice includes acting for clients (especially employers) in investigation panels regarding employee misconduct and matters involving wrongful termination.
• Construction: Jude has advised on disputes arising from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts as well as operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts in the midstream energy sector.
• Human Rights: Jude handles a wide range of human rights matters, which includes but not limited to breaches of right to own moveable and immovable properties, right to personal liberty, and right to privacy.
• Privacy: In matters bordering on privacy, Jude has successfully prosecuted a matter that concerned the interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, as it relates to the privacy of a client, a high net worth individual (HNI).

Education

• Ph.D., University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
• LL.M, University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
• B.L, Nigerian Law School.
• LL.B, Imo State University, Nigeria

Membership

• Member, Nigerian Bar Association
• Nigeria Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL)
• Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK (AFHEA)

Publications

• The Protection of Foreign Investments: The Zhongshan Investment Claim and Lessons for Nigeria
• Eni and Agip’s Investment Claim against Nigeria: Preliminary Thoughts on Foreign Investment Protection in Nigeria.
• Foreign Investment Protection and Environmental Governance in Nigeria
• The Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) Regulations 2024: Highlights and Implications
• Delineating the Concepts of Collective Investments Scheme and Private Placement in Proper Perspective – A Review of the Case of Olusola Akindeye v Stanbic IBTC & Anor (Unreported)