Otu leads the brand protection, employment and global mobility practices in the firm. He has significant experience in intellectual property matters, specifically patents and designs. Otu also has significant experience in litigation, specifically intellectual property infringements and employment related disputes at the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Otu routinely advises start-up and established companies on intellectual property ownership and exploitation, brand protection, consumer protection, employment related matters, employment of expatriates, claims and disputes. Otu’s employment and global mobility advice is especially sought by foreign entities that are seeking to establish local operations or restructure existing operations and indigenous businesses.
Otu has been identified as a rising star in the Nigerian market by WTR 2000 for years 2020 and 2021 respectively. Otu is currently concluding his second term as the General Secretary of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria.
Experience has included advising:
- On all aspects of the global licensing framework for Felabration, a renowned entertainment festival.
- Rite Foods in relation to the registration, distribution, promotion and sale of its brands of Fast Moving Consumer Goods, including day to day issues arising, with a view to ensuring compliance with applicable laws and that the brands are fully protected.
- Companies in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries on consumer protection issues in Nigeria.
- On and conducting an audit and valuation of all the brands of Mavin Records, in the course of a private equity investment by Kapunda Capital.
- On redundancies arising from the restructuring of local operations and spin offs of new entities.
- SHIN on human resources and employment issues arising from the unprecedented disruptions caused by COVID-19.
- And negotiating on several threatened labour disputes and collective bargaining agreements for companies in different sectors of the economy.
- Tulip Cocoa Processing Limited and handled employment disputes on its behalf at the National Industrial Court.
Professional Qualifications
- Solicitor and Advocate admitted to the Supreme Court of Nigeria (2007)
Education
- University of Ibadan, LL.B. (2005)
- Nigerian Law School, B.L. (2006)
Experience
- 2008 to present, Olajide Oyewole LLP, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Nigeria.
- January to September 2008, Unit Head, Takaii Magazine and convener of Wetin Lawyers Dey Do Sef Seminar Series at Dtalkshop.
Memberships
- Nigerian Bar Association
COVID-19 pandemic and the measures imposed by governments to limit its spread have created a number of significant issues which are of grave concern to employers in Nigeria and beyond.