Clementina Ukiri, Esq
Managing Partner, Equilex Advocates and Solicitors
A versatile and well-experienced lawyer with the mission to create a formidable legal force for all and sundry.
About
Clementina E. Ukiri, Esq. is the distinguished Managing Partner at Equilex Advocates & Solicitors, bringing a wealth of experience and a formidable track record in dispute resolution. With eight years of post-qualification experience, Clementina specializes in Corporate Commercial Litigation, consistently securing favorable judgments for a diverse clientele spanning corporate, non-profit, and government sectors.
Her expansive legal expertise encompasses a wide range of critical areas, including Debt Recovery, Maritime & Admiralty Law, Labour & Industrial Relations, Contract Law, Arbitration, Mediation, Negotiation, and Company Secretariat functions. Clementina is also highly proficient in legal drafting and analysis, compliance, legal advisory services, fundamental human rights enforcement, and immigration matters, including Citizenship and Residency by Investment.
Education
Earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, from 2012 to 2016.
Holds a Barrister-at-Law (Qualifying Certificate) from the Nigeria Law School/Council of Legal Education, from the Lagos, Nigeria, Law School from 2017 and 2018.
Additionally has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication from the University of Benin (2010 – 2014) and a Diploma in Law from the same university (2009 – 2010).
Court Submissions/Cases
With active involvement in various court submissions and cases, engaged in drafting and arguing pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs before superior courts.
Led legal teams in high-stakes debt recovery cases and represented claimants in foreclosure proceedings involving involving aircraft and properties.
Also led wrongful and constructive dismissal suits.
Have severally conducted fundamental human rights enforcement actions, notably against the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the Twitter Ban.
Also collaborated on teams for vessel hire disputes and vessel arrest cases at the Federal High Court.
Managed numerous high-profile litigation cases, including defending criminal cases and conducting a successful trial against Lagos State University for wrongful expulsion.
Also highly proficient in arguing bail applications and perfecting bail processes.
Notable Accomplisments
With a strong track record of securing favourable outcomes for diverse range of clients including corporate, non-profit, and government entities, has the following notable achievements and accomplishments.
Successfully dismissed Fundamental Human Rights enforcement proceedings against Asset Management Company of Nigeria.
Secured favorable judgments in three defamation actions for defendants and obtained a ₦100M+ damage award for a plaintiff in a defamation action.
Successfully represented a client in an arbitration involving construction companies of the Shoprite complex.
Secured at least ten judgments/rulings in high-profile litigation cases, some even against Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Successfully conducted a trial against Lagos State University for wrongful expulsion, which resulted in the student’s restoration and awarded damages.
Collaborated in defending over ten criminal cases, including one notable murder trial that was reduced to manslaughter.
Have led legal teams in high-stakes debt recovery cases, notably securing a US$54M loan recovery for a national commercial bank and a N3BN debt recovery for Asset Management Company of Nigeria.
Have spearheaded the resolution of a US$98M transborder debt recovery dispute involving a tier-1 commercial bank.
Have advised a Receiver Manager on managing assets under receivership, which included 5 airplanes, 3 helicopters, and a Banana Island house.
Have led teams in ten court-ordered mediation and negotiation proceedings at the Lagos Multi-Door Court House.
Other Notable Achievements
Adept at negotiating settlement terms in mediation and conciliation proceedings.
Successfully implemented a client feedback loop, which significantly improved customer satisfaction scores by 40%.
Developed a new billing process, optimizing revenue by researching and implementing other firms’ billing rates.
Pioneered and managed my former firm’s first probate matters administration department.
Have provided Citizenship and Residency by Investment advisory and marketing, including due diligence and notarization.
Have also authored several publications on various legal topics, covering subjects like the Nigerian Judicial System, Pleading Documentary Evidence, the effectiveness of the Lagos State Multi-Door Court House, Financial Technology Regulations, and Sustainable Development in the Oil and Gas Industry.
Holds several certifications in Data Analytics & Modelling, Project Management, and Data Protection Training.