Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN
- Senior Partner
- Dispute Resolution and Tax
- Lagos, Nigeria
About
Tunde is a Senior Partner and Head of the Litigation & Arbitration Practice. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted 1988). In December 2008, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.
He specializes in commercial litigation and has litigated on an extensive range of issues, including those pertaining to oil and gas, maritime, intellectual property, telecommunications, taxation, finance and banking, contracts, receiverships and insolvency, commercial law transactions and general litigation both at trial and appellate levels.
Tunde has represented various multinational clients including oil companies, telecommunication companies and banks both in litigation, ad-hoc arbitrations and arbitration proceedings. He renders legal advice on a wide range of commercial transactions. He also regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in arbitration and before arbitral institutions, such as the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
His expertise has earned consistent international recognition. He is ranked Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria by Chambers Global, and The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa has named him a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution from 2018 to 2026. Chambers Global (2013–2026) has variously described him as “extremely skilled,” “hands-on,” “clever,” with “excellent commercial judgment,” and “hard‑working and thorough.” Lexology Index formerly Who’s Who Legal Nigeria (2010–2026) consistently recognizes him as a “fantastic litigator” praised for his “craftsmanship” in constructing legal arguments when representing international entities in arbitration proceedings.
Experience
1993 – Date Partner, Aluko and Oyebode
Education & Qualifications
- 1991 University of Lagos [LL.M).
- 1988 Called to the Nigerian Bar.
- 1987 University of Ife, Ile Ife [LL.B. Hons].
Professional Membership & Affiliations
- Nigerian Bar Association.
- International Bar Association.
- The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
- Member, National Committee on the Reform and Harmonization of Arbitration/ADR Laws in Nigeria.
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK.
- Member, LCIA Court of Arbitration.
- Chairman, Board of Governors, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) (2016 to 2020).
- Member, International Arbitration Institute, Paris.
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Nigeria Branch).
- Member, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) African Users’ Council.
- Member, Board of Governors, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).
- Member, Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).
Awards & Recognition
- Consistently Ranked in Chambers Global: Band 1 for Dispute Resolution – Nigeria
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Thought Leaders – Arbitration & Commercial Litigation – Africa 2024-2026
- Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (2018-2026), Dispute Resolution – Leading individuals
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Global Leader Recommended in Arbitration, (2010-2026)
- Legal 500: Shortlisted in “Arbitration Powerlist 2021, Africa”
- IFLR1000: consistently rated as Highy Regarded & Leading Lawyer
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL) 2021-2026: National Leader Recommended in Nigeria – Arbitration, Litigation, Energy, Natural Resources & Mining.
- Africa Arbitration Academy’s Africa’s 20 Arbitration Powerlist 2022 and 2026.
- Africa Construction Law Awards, 2026: Lifetime Achievement Award.
“He is one of the best lawyers in the country.” “He has a great legal mind.”– Chambers Global
“Tunde is an extremely well-established disputes lawyer, highlighted by market commentators for his reputation and visibility in the arbitration space. He is a respected litigator and has experience in various financial disputes. Many of his clients are from the oil and gas sector.” – Chambers Global
Top Matters
EXPERIENCE AS COUNSEL
Litigation
- Currently acts as counsel in a series of cases, including thirty active claims, with causes of action based on negligence, strict liability and fundamental human rights, arising out of an oil spill.
- Currently represents a number of International Oil Companies in a series of cases brought on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which alleges a failure to declare, or an under-declaration of crude oil exported from Nigeria.
- Counsel in an action before the Nigerian courts relating to the attachment of the rights to an Oil Prospecting Licence.
- Advised and represented a client in an appeal before the Tax Appeal Tribunal in a dispute involving the process for assessment of Education Tax, arising in the context of a Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract. He advised a client on Withholding Tax issues in the context of an EPC contract.
- Advised and represented a client in the settlement of a dispute arising from an alleged contravention of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 and the Foreign Exchange Manual 2006 by remitting foreign currency using ‘irregular’ Certificates of Capital Importation.
- Advised and represented a consortium of international oil companies in respect of contract claims totalling over US$27 billion arising from a unilateral and retroactive change in the profit-sharing mechanism set out in the applicable Production Sharing Contracts.
- Counsel to an international oil company in a dispute before the High Court, arising from the client’s termination for default in performance of an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning Contract with a contractor, for an export pipeline system project (project value of US$92,493,369.00).
- Counsel to an international oil company in an action before the Federal High Court, commenced by a counter party claiming an interest in the client’s Oil Prospecting License and seeking the reallocation of the OPL. Successfully represented the client before the Court of Appeal, setting aside the Federal High Court’s ruling refusing to strike out the suit for being statute barred and an abuse of court process and unanimously dismissing the suit before the Federal High Court.
- Currently acts as Counsel to Abu Dhabi’s National Oil Company, as the Claimant before the High Court, in a dispute against a Bank arising from a letter of credit transaction.
- Counsel to an international oil company in an action for judicial review, wherein the applicant, a civil society organization, sought orders to nullify the assignment of and revoke the client’s Oil Prospecting License. Successfully obtained judgments in favour of the client before the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal.
Arbitration
- Co-counsel with Freshfields, Bruckhaus, Derringer LLP in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute).
- Co-counsel with Hogan Lovells International LLP in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Abuja, Nigeria) (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute)
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (Construction dispute arising from contract for engineering, procurement and construction works for an oil and gas flow station).
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (Construction dispute arising from contract for engineering, procurement and construction works for the Bonny Oil Export Terminal).
- Lead Counsel in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration, (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana) (Marginal Oilfield Joint Venture Agreement dispute).
- Lead Counsel in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria (contractual dispute arising from overseas supply and installation contract for the 8th All Africa Games, Nigeria (2003).
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (dispute arising from charter of barge and anchor handling tugs).
- Advised and represented a client in an arbitration involving a dispute in relation to Petroleum Profit Tax in the context of a Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract.
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration involving a dispute in relation to the interpretation of the provisions of a Crude Oil Handling Agreement.
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration involving a dispute in relation the export of an oil rig.
- Co-counsel with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in ad-hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Abuja, Nigeria) (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute)
- Co-counsel with LMS Legal LLP in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration (Venue: London, England) (contractual dispute arising from a Farm In Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement)
- Co-counsel with Three Crowns LLP in International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Arbitration (investment treaty dispute arising from expropriation of contractual rights to a Production Sharing Contract relating to a Deepwater oil prospecting license)
- Lead counsel in London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Arbitration (contractual dispute arising from the breach of a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement)
EXPERIENCE AS ARBITRATOR
- Sole Arbitrator in Insurance Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Sole Arbitrator in dispute arising from lease of Marine Barge & Jetty (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Member, three-man arbitral panel in Hotel Construction Contract dispute (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Sole Arbitrator, contract dispute arising from sale and skeleton building agreement, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration, (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria)
- Chairman, three-man arbitral panel, ad-hoc arbitration involving onshore oil drilling contract, Lagos, Nigeria (2014)
- Chairman, three-man arbitral panel, ad-hoc arbitration involving agency agreement in the automobile industry, Lagos, Nigeria (2016)
- Sole Arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration involving Joint Venture Agreement for project management of an EPC contract in the oil and gas industry (Lagos, 2016)
- Member, three-man panel, ICC arbitration arising from an international contract for the rehabilitation of urban town roads (2017)
- Member, three-man panel, LCIA arbitration arising from an international agreement for the construction of high voltage electricity plants (2017)
- Member, three-man panel, ad-hoc arbitration relating to a dispute arising from a Charterparty Agreement for the hire of a vessel for inter-alia, the transportation of petroleum products (Place: Abuja, Nigeria).
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from share sale and purchase agreement.
- Presiding arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from car dealership agreement.
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from joint venture agreement for project management of the construction of a gas pipeline (concluded 2019).
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from share sale and subscription agreement (concluded 2020).
- Member, three-person arbitral panel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules, arising from a road concession contract.
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc international arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from agreement for sale of a trading business.
- Sole arbitrator, ad hoc domestic arbitration arising from an employment contract.
EXPERIENCE AS AN EXPERT WITNESS
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, Technology and Construction Court: Harrison Jalla v Royal Dutch Shell and Others (2022).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Commercial Court in Great Elephant Corporation v Trafigura Beheer BV & Ors [2012] EWHC 1745 (Comm) (Venue: London).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Commercial Court in IPCO (Nigeria) Ltd v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [2005] EWHC 726 (Comm) (Venue: London).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in arbitration proceedings conducted under the American Arbitration Association Rules (Venue: Spain)
Community Service/Pro Bono
- Criminal pro bono matters/appeals
- Mentorship of young lawyers
Speeches
Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN
- Senior Partner
- Dispute Resolution and Tax
- Lagos, Nigeria
About
Tunde is a Senior Partner and Head of the Litigation & Arbitration Practice. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted 1988). In December 2008, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.
He specializes in commercial litigation and has litigated on an extensive range of issues, including those pertaining to oil and gas, maritime, intellectual property, telecommunications, taxation, finance and banking, contracts, receiverships and insolvency, commercial law transactions and general litigation both at trial and appellate levels.
Tunde has represented various multinational clients including oil companies, telecommunication companies and banks both in litigation, ad-hoc arbitrations and arbitration proceedings. He renders legal advice on a wide range of commercial transactions. He also regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in arbitration and before arbitral institutions, such as the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
His expertise has earned consistent international recognition. He is ranked Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Nigeria by Chambers Global, and The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa has named him a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution from 2018 to 2026. Chambers Global (2013–2026) has variously described him as “extremely skilled,” “hands-on,” “clever,” with “excellent commercial judgment,” and “hard‑working and thorough.” Lexology Index formerly Who’s Who Legal Nigeria (2010–2026) consistently recognizes him as a “fantastic litigator” praised for his “craftsmanship” in constructing legal arguments when representing international entities in arbitration proceedings.
Experience
1993 – Date Partner, Aluko and Oyebode
Education & Qualifications
- 1991 University of Lagos [LL.M).
- 1988 Called to the Nigerian Bar.
- 1987 University of Ife, Ile Ife [LL.B. Hons].
Professional Membership & Affiliations
- Nigerian Bar Association.
- International Bar Association.
- The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
- Member, National Committee on the Reform and Harmonization of Arbitration/ADR Laws in Nigeria.
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK.
- Member, LCIA Court of Arbitration.
- Chairman, Board of Governors, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) (2016 to 2020).
- Member, International Arbitration Institute, Paris.
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Nigeria Branch).
- Member, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) African Users’ Council.
- Member, Board of Governors, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).
- Member, Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).
Awards & Recognition
- Consistently Ranked in Chambers Global: Band 1 for Dispute Resolution – Nigeria
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Thought Leaders – Arbitration & Commercial Litigation – Africa 2024-2026
- Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (2018-2026), Dispute Resolution – Leading individuals
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Global Leader Recommended in Arbitration, (2010-2026)
- Legal 500: Shortlisted in “Arbitration Powerlist 2021, Africa”
- IFLR1000: consistently rated as Highy Regarded & Leading Lawyer
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL) 2021-2026: National Leader Recommended in Nigeria – Arbitration, Litigation, Energy, Natural Resources & Mining.
- Africa Arbitration Academy’s Africa’s 20 Arbitration Powerlist 2022 and 2026.
- Africa Construction Law Awards, 2026: Lifetime Achievement Award.
“He is one of the best lawyers in the country.” “He has a great legal mind.”– Chambers Global
“Tunde is an extremely well-established disputes lawyer, highlighted by market commentators for his reputation and visibility in the arbitration space. He is a respected litigator and has experience in various financial disputes. Many of his clients are from the oil and gas sector.” – Chambers Global
Top Matters
EXPERIENCE AS COUNSEL
Litigation
- Currently acts as counsel in a series of cases, including thirty active claims, with causes of action based on negligence, strict liability and fundamental human rights, arising out of an oil spill.
- Currently represents a number of International Oil Companies in a series of cases brought on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which alleges a failure to declare, or an under-declaration of crude oil exported from Nigeria.
- Counsel in an action before the Nigerian courts relating to the attachment of the rights to an Oil Prospecting Licence.
- Advised and represented a client in an appeal before the Tax Appeal Tribunal in a dispute involving the process for assessment of Education Tax, arising in the context of a Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract. He advised a client on Withholding Tax issues in the context of an EPC contract.
- Advised and represented a client in the settlement of a dispute arising from an alleged contravention of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 and the Foreign Exchange Manual 2006 by remitting foreign currency using ‘irregular’ Certificates of Capital Importation.
- Advised and represented a consortium of international oil companies in respect of contract claims totalling over US$27 billion arising from a unilateral and retroactive change in the profit-sharing mechanism set out in the applicable Production Sharing Contracts.
- Counsel to an international oil company in a dispute before the High Court, arising from the client’s termination for default in performance of an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning Contract with a contractor, for an export pipeline system project (project value of US$92,493,369.00).
- Counsel to an international oil company in an action before the Federal High Court, commenced by a counter party claiming an interest in the client’s Oil Prospecting License and seeking the reallocation of the OPL. Successfully represented the client before the Court of Appeal, setting aside the Federal High Court’s ruling refusing to strike out the suit for being statute barred and an abuse of court process and unanimously dismissing the suit before the Federal High Court.
- Currently acts as Counsel to Abu Dhabi’s National Oil Company, as the Claimant before the High Court, in a dispute against a Bank arising from a letter of credit transaction.
- Counsel to an international oil company in an action for judicial review, wherein the applicant, a civil society organization, sought orders to nullify the assignment of and revoke the client’s Oil Prospecting License. Successfully obtained judgments in favour of the client before the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal.
Arbitration
- Co-counsel with Freshfields, Bruckhaus, Derringer LLP in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute).
- Co-counsel with Hogan Lovells International LLP in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Abuja, Nigeria) (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute)
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (Construction dispute arising from contract for engineering, procurement and construction works for an oil and gas flow station).
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (Construction dispute arising from contract for engineering, procurement and construction works for the Bonny Oil Export Terminal).
- Lead Counsel in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration, (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana) (Marginal Oilfield Joint Venture Agreement dispute).
- Lead Counsel in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria (contractual dispute arising from overseas supply and installation contract for the 8th All Africa Games, Nigeria (2003).
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria) (dispute arising from charter of barge and anchor handling tugs).
- Advised and represented a client in an arbitration involving a dispute in relation to Petroleum Profit Tax in the context of a Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract.
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration involving a dispute in relation to the interpretation of the provisions of a Crude Oil Handling Agreement.
- Lead Counsel in ad-hoc arbitration involving a dispute in relation the export of an oil rig.
- Co-counsel with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in ad-hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration (Venue: Abuja, Nigeria) (Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contract dispute)
- Co-counsel with LMS Legal LLP in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration (Venue: London, England) (contractual dispute arising from a Farm In Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement)
- Co-counsel with Three Crowns LLP in International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Arbitration (investment treaty dispute arising from expropriation of contractual rights to a Production Sharing Contract relating to a Deepwater oil prospecting license)
- Lead counsel in London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Arbitration (contractual dispute arising from the breach of a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement)
EXPERIENCE AS ARBITRATOR
- Sole Arbitrator in Insurance Arbitration (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Sole Arbitrator in dispute arising from lease of Marine Barge & Jetty (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Member, three-man arbitral panel in Hotel Construction Contract dispute (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria).
- Sole Arbitrator, contract dispute arising from sale and skeleton building agreement, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration, (Venue: Lagos, Nigeria)
- Chairman, three-man arbitral panel, ad-hoc arbitration involving onshore oil drilling contract, Lagos, Nigeria (2014)
- Chairman, three-man arbitral panel, ad-hoc arbitration involving agency agreement in the automobile industry, Lagos, Nigeria (2016)
- Sole Arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration involving Joint Venture Agreement for project management of an EPC contract in the oil and gas industry (Lagos, 2016)
- Member, three-man panel, ICC arbitration arising from an international contract for the rehabilitation of urban town roads (2017)
- Member, three-man panel, LCIA arbitration arising from an international agreement for the construction of high voltage electricity plants (2017)
- Member, three-man panel, ad-hoc arbitration relating to a dispute arising from a Charterparty Agreement for the hire of a vessel for inter-alia, the transportation of petroleum products (Place: Abuja, Nigeria).
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from share sale and purchase agreement.
- Presiding arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from car dealership agreement.
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from joint venture agreement for project management of the construction of a gas pipeline (concluded 2019).
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from share sale and subscription agreement (concluded 2020).
- Member, three-person arbitral panel in ad-hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules, arising from a road concession contract.
- Sole arbitrator, ad-hoc international arbitration under UNCITRAL rules arising from agreement for sale of a trading business.
- Sole arbitrator, ad hoc domestic arbitration arising from an employment contract.
EXPERIENCE AS AN EXPERT WITNESS
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, Technology and Construction Court: Harrison Jalla v Royal Dutch Shell and Others (2022).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Commercial Court in Great Elephant Corporation v Trafigura Beheer BV & Ors [2012] EWHC 1745 (Comm) (Venue: London).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in proceedings before the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Commercial Court in IPCO (Nigeria) Ltd v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [2005] EWHC 726 (Comm) (Venue: London).
- Expert witness on Nigerian law in arbitration proceedings conducted under the American Arbitration Association Rules (Venue: Spain)
Community Service/Pro Bono
- Criminal pro bono matters/appeals
- Mentorship of young lawyers
Speeches
Tunde has received numerous awards over the years
Tunde advises clients across a broad range of practice areas and industry sectors
Related Insights