Abigail is a Nigerian-qualified lawyer with five years of post-qualification experience in commercial arbitration and litigation. Prior to joining the MIDS, she practised as an Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, a Tier 1-ranked dispute resolution firm in Nigeria, and ǼLEX Partners, another leading Nigerian law firm. Her practice has involved representing domestic and multinational clients in complex disputes across the oil and gas, banking, employment, maritime, aviation and telecommunications sectors. She has also gained experience in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations under the UNCITRAL and LCIA Rules, as well as arbitration-related court proceedings, particularly in the setting aside and enforcement of arbitral awards before Nigerian courts.
At Aluko & Oyebode, Abigail represented a State Government in complex arbitration-related annulment and enforcement proceedings. She also acted as defence counsel for leading international oil companies in oil and gas disputes and for various financial institutions in enforcement proceedings before courts at different levels in Nigeria.
Previously, at ǼLEX Partners, Abigail was a member of the legal team that successfully secured the setting aside of a judgment against an international energy company in a dispute involving alleged interference with contractual relations. She also contributed to the successful defence of a metal-coating company in multiple employment disputes, which resulted in favourable judgments for the company. Her arbitration experience at ǼLEX Partners included participation in multi-jurisdictional proceedings involving Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania against a US retail multinational. As part of the legal team, she also contributed to securing favourable interim awards dismissing applications for security for costs across the jurisdictions. She was also a member of the team representing a Canadian mining company in an international arbitration involving allegations of contractual breaches, non-circumvention violations and wrongful exclusion from a joint venture.
Beyond her legal practice, Abigail is actively involved in the arbitration community. She is a registered ADR neutral with the Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse, where she has also volunteered in the registry during pro bono arbitration proceedings. She currently serves as Secretary of the Young Members Group of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Port Harcourt Chapter. Her professional affiliations include the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb, UK), the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Institute of ADR Registrars and the International Bar Association.
Outside her legal career, Abigail enjoys fiction writing, journalling and travelling.
Nationality
Nigeria
Working Languages
English
Areas of Expertise
International Commercial Arbitration;
Commercial Litigation;
Enforcement and Annulment of Arbitral Awards
Bar Information
Nigeria, 2022