Corporate and Commercial law forms a major part of our practice; and we excel at it, by deploying strategic solutions, owing to our sound knowledge of the commercial and corporate landscape of Nigeria. We advise corporations and individuals and SMEs on Joint Ventures, Partnerships, and other corporate arrangements; Corporate Finance, public Rights Issue, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Privatization. Our services extend to registration and incorporation matters, filing statutory company returns, as well as Company Secretarial duties (which are undertaken by Canaan Nominees, our sister firm).

The strategic solutions we devise for our commercial clients are based on a sound knowledge of the industries they operate in, the business and commercial context, and specialist knowledge of all relevant legislation. We also provide thorough and exhaustive background checks on companies and individuals.

We advise on, negotiate and draft commercial contracts dealing with the exploitation of intellectual property licenses, franchising, agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements, agency and distribution agreements as well as equipment leasing agreements.

Our Corporate and Commercial Practice further extends to all immigration matters in conjunction with our sister firm, Canaan Immigrations. We provide advice and information to international companies and foreign individuals seeking to establish business or employ foreign workers in Nigeria, through advice and service on obtaining business permits, expatriate quotas and approvals for exemption from incorporation, and the importation of foreign capital regulations.

Our taxation advisory services also help new and established businesses maximize turnover by taking advantage of tax reliefs and incentives.

Portfolio

Our corporate and commercial practice portfolio extends to incorporating and providing Company Secretarial Support for several high-profile companies. Some of our clients are;

• Prime WaterView Limited
• AREPCO-ARAROMI Petrochemical Refinery Limited
• Fire Resources Limited
• CIPLA Pharmaceuticals
• Kingsley Insurance Limited
• Western Aluminum Limited

We have also (since 2007) been a Nigerian contributor to the WORLD BANK – IFC “Doing Business” Programme. We have used this platform to advise several potential foreign investors on the processes and procedures of investing in Nigeria.

Our IP unit has been diversely involved in the registration and protection of several local and international intellectual properties ranging from patents, trade and service marks, and copyrights. We were solicitors to West African Batteries Limited in the Landmark “EXIDE” trademark protection matter.

Our immigration unit has assisted in perfecting the immigration status of our clientele, either as foreign expatriates desirous of regularizing their immigrant/work status in Nigeria or as Nigerians wishing to legally relocate to a foreign country.