Senior Associate · Disputes & Arbitration
Chimemeka Chrysolyte Egonu
I lead the disputes and arbitration practice team at Oake Legal in Lagos — arguing complex cross-border arbitrations, defending high-value commercial claims, and advising on the finance and private equity transactions that move African business forward.
Lawyer, arbitration specialist and commercial litigator. I also write and speak about dispute resolution, business, finance and the technology reshaping how we all work.
$7.4m
Cross-border arbitration
Three parallel UNCITRAL proceedings in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.
$150m
Acquisition advised
60% interest in Notore Chemical Industries Plc.
₦15bn
Bond programme
Solicitors to the issuer, AB Microfinance Bank Limited.
$496m
Funds restrained
Interim injunction obtained pending proof of debt.
What I do
Five practice areas, one approach: prepare relentlessly, argue precisely.
Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
Ad hoc and institutional arbitration across Africa and London — from pleadings and expert evidence to cross-examination and enforcement.
ExploreCommercial Litigation
High-stakes commercial and jurisdictional disputes before Nigeria's Federal High Court and State High Courts.
ExploreFinance & Capital Markets
Issuances, facilities and security packages — acting for issuers, borrowers and their advisers.
ExplorePrivate Equity & Transactions
Acquisitions, investments and divestments for funds, strategic investors and founders.
ExploreInsolvency & Restructuring
Schemes of arrangement, liquidator representation and creditor recovery in distressed situations.
Explore
Selected career highlights
- Leads the disputes and arbitration practice team at Oake Legal, Lagos.
- Co-counsel in three parallel UNCITRAL arbitrations across Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.
- Contributed to Nigerian case law on the Federal High Court's jurisdiction to enforce arbitral awards.
- Advised on a $150 million acquisition of a 60% interest in Notore Chemical Industries Plc.
- INSOL Future Leader 2023; Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).
Featured writing
Ideas worth arguing about
Legal alert on the new SEC Rules on the Issuance of Commercial Papers in Nigeria
A practitioner's alert on Nigeria's revised Securities and Exchange Commission rules for commercial paper issuance and what they change for issuers and their advisers.
March 2025
Technology & AIOf Silicon Valley, OpenAI, and Sam Altman
Reflections on governance, power and personality in technology's most consequential company — written for lawyers and business leaders watching AI reshape their work.
November 2023
Business & FinanceNigeria: Exploring the Scope of LLPs as an Alternative Investment Vehicle
An examination of the limited liability partnership under Nigerian law and its potential as a vehicle for investment structures.
June 2021
Speaking
On stage, on panels, on the record
From moot courts to advocacy programmes and conference platforms, I enjoy making complex legal and commercial ideas land with real audiences.
Delos Remote Oral Advocacy Programme — Construction (EMEA)
Participant, oral advocacy · September 2025
Faith Fire Conference
Planning committee chair · Annual
National Tax Debate 3.0
Oralist · November 2016
