Overview
Acclaimed dispute resolution practice with proven success in high-stakes cases.
Aluko & Oyebode’s Dispute Resolution practice is the advocate of choice for complex, high‑stakes litigation and arbitration in Nigeria. We bring the discipline and firepower of a top‑tier bench to bet‑the‑company disputes, combining courtroom excellence, sector depth and commercial pragmatism to secure decisive outcomes. With Senior Advocates of Nigeria leading integrated teams across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, we act swiftly and strategically before all Nigerian courts and major arbitral institutions. Our cross‑border capability is amplified by our alliance with ALN and our long‑standing collaborations with leading international law firms, allowing us to manage multi‑jurisdictional mandates end‑to‑end without friction. As of today, our practice is Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria and is consistently trusted by multinational corporates and financial institutions to resolve their most sensitive matters.
Rankings snapshot: Chambers Global 2025 ranks the firm Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria, with market‑leading individual rankings. The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 ranks the firm Tier 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria, citing our “top‑notch” team and sector breadth.
Services
Banking, Finance and Insolvency Litigation
We represent leading domestic and international banks and funds in debt recovery, security enforcement, insolvency, receivership and fraud claims. We deploy urgent relief, asset tracing and cross‑border coordination to preserve value, recover losses and implement restructuring outcomes.
Employment and Business Crime Defence
We act in sensitive employment litigation, investigations and white‑collar defence matters, including anti‑corruption, AML/CFT and regulatory enforcement. We manage dawn‑raids, crisis communications and multi‑agency interface, safeguarding corporate and personal exposure.
Energy and Infrastructure Disputes
We handle oil and gas, power and infrastructure claims across the project lifecycle, from price re‑openers to EPC and O&M disputes. Our team combines sector fluency with technical arbitration expertise, including FIDIC and bespoke EPC forms, delay and quantum issues, and interface with regulators.
Intellectual Property and Brand Protection Disputes
We enforce and defend IP rights across trademarks, patents and copyrights, including anti‑counterfeiting actions, registry oppositions and Federal High Court litigation. We blend technical IP know‑how with efficient enforcement strategies to protect brand equity and market share.
International Arbitration
We act as counsel in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, including ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and LMAA references. Our lawyers regularly handle energy, construction, joint venture and shareholder disputes, ensuring enforceability, managing expert evidence and coordinating parallel court proceedings.
Judgment and Award Enforcement
We secure and resist recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, deploy asset‑freezing measures and navigate sovereign immunity and public policy defences to convert victories into value.
Litigation, Risk and Crisis Management
We prosecute and defend complex commercial claims in all Nigerian courts, including the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. We pair trial advocacy with early case assessment, injunction strategy and settlement leverage to mitigate risk, protect enterprise value and move matters to resolution on optimal terms.
Maritime, Trade and Transport Claims
We advise on ship arrests, cargo claims, charterparty and bills of lading disputes, demurrage and marine casualties. We pursue swift interim relief and coordinated recovery strategies across ports and jurisdictions.
Tax Controversy and Public Law
We act in high‑value tax disputes involving federal and state authorities, transfer pricing, withholding tax and industry‑specific levies. Our team regularly litigates judicial review and constitutional questions of market importance, aligning litigation strategy with regulatory engagement.
Our Experiences
Acted for 21 commercial banks in coordinated tax disputes
Acted for 21 commercial banks in coordinated tax disputes against multiple state internal revenue services over Personal Income Tax Act obligations, shaping industry‑wide outcomes.
Defended Shelter Afrique in a breach‑of‑contract
Defended Shelter Afrique in a breach‑of‑contract claim by Afro‑Asia Shelter International concerning a US$9.1m loan agreement, achieving a robust defence to significant exposure.
Representing Binance in ongoing criminal proceeding
Representing Binance in ongoing criminal proceedings before the Federal High Court, Abuja, addressing allegations of money laundering and unauthorised exchange rate negotiations.
Represented Monster Energy Company
Represented Monster Energy Company and Nigeria Bottling Company in Federal High Court litigation and Trademark Registry opposition against Rite Foods Limited in a high‑profile brand dispute.
Represented Shell in an appeal regarding alleged
Represented Shell in an appeal regarding alleged outstanding personal income tax, securing appellate scrutiny of assessment and enforcement processes.
Client Quotes
(Legal 500): “The team at Aluko & Oyebode consists of top‑notch lawyers who are synchronised,” and “The team works well together… guiding us to the right lawyers within the practice.”
Key Contacts
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Awards and Accolades
Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria, with top‑ranked individuals recognised for arbitration and litigation excellence.
Chambers Global 2025
Tier 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria; editorial notes our “top‑notch lawyers” and sector breadth.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2025
Nigeria Law Firm of the Year winner, reflecting consistent top‑tier performance across disputes and transactional practices.
Chambers Africa Awards 2023
Included in the GAR 100 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices, underscoring our cross‑border capability.
Global Arbitration Review
“The team at Aluko & Oyebode consists of top‑notch lawyers who are synchronised,” and “The team works well together… guiding us to the right lawyers within the practice.”
Client feedback (Legal 500)
Thought Leadership
