Limited hearings, long adjournments, and restricted access to the courtrooms are some of the major effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of justice in Nigeria. These issues have changed judges’ and lawyers’ attitudes towards the use of technology. Only very few cases have been heard or filed remotely, but several legal frameworks have been adopted to make them work. The journey to full adoption will be slow but it has already started.
Esther Okoro is young legal practitioner with practical experience in commercial Dispute Resolution, dispute avoidance advisory and dispute management. She is passionate about creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive; hence she is particularly interested in commercial law, traditional and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and international trade law.
Esther’s work cuts across regularly representing clients across a wide range of industries in court proceedings and at alternative dispute resolution proceedings such as mediations and negotiations; advising clients on their legal rights and possible cause of action in the event of a dispute; formulating defence strategies tailored to individual client dispute; conducting necessary legal research; and offering general legal advisory services.
Experience has included advising:
- And drafting two response letters on behalf of DHL to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition (Senate Committee) in relation to the invitation for an investigative inquiry from the Senate Committee to DHL on the collection of custom duties and remittance to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
- One of world’s primary manufacturers of industrial gases Global Gases Group, in the recovery of over USD100,000 for breach of contract to supply industrial gases contracted and paid for.
- On prepared defence processes and currently representing DHL against a claim for breach of contract of carriage of goods by air.
- And appearing as one of the commercial litigators that instituted an action on behalf a Nigerian Independent Power Producer, Sapio Utilities, who sought the court’s interpretation of relevant sections of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 in relation to the powers of a captive power generator in line with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (Permits for Captive Power Generation) Regulations, 2008.
- As part of a team of litigators that instituted a fundamental human rights proceeding against the illegal detention of a staff of BB Energy Nigeria Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and secured his right to personal liberty, dignity and freedom of movement.
- And appearing as one of the commercial litigators that defended the interest of the local subsidiary of one of the largest shipbuilders and fabricators in the world, Samsung Heavy Industries on a complex dispute bordering on the status of entities registered in a free trade zone and compliance with Nigerian local content laws.
Professional Qualifications
Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (2018)
Education
- Obafemi Awolowo University, LL.B. (2017)
- Nigerian Law School, B.L. (2018)
Experience
- 2019 to present, Associate, Olajide Oyewole LLP, DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria
Memberships
- Nigerian Bar Association
- Lagos Court of Arbitration