G. Elias & Co, a Pre-eminent Business law Firm
G. Elias & Co. is a pre-eminent business law firm with a reputation for carrying out critical, innovative and complex work to the highest standards. The firm’s Managing Partner, Fred Onuobia, talks us through the firm and the services it provides. G. Elias & Co. is organized as seven practice skill groups operating across 8 sectors of the Nigerian economy. We are a member of the Africa Legal Network (“ALN”), an association of leading independent law firms founded and based in Africa.
The firm offers a wide range of services including dispute resolution, corporate law, banking, capital markets, shipping, construction and many more.
Central to our service offering is our experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals. Some of our experience in M&A includes asset purchases, share purchases and statutory mergers in virtually all sectors of the economy especially financial services, telecommunications, oil and gas and manufacturing.
The firm has advised on over 85 (eighty-five) M&A transactions since inception. One of the most challenging of such M&A transactions was the acquisition of 50% stake in Tolaram Foods by Kelloggs, the USA multinational (US$450mm). This is currently the biggest FMCG acquisition transaction in Nigeria. It was a multi-faceted transaction: (A) the spin-off of the logistics business of Tolaram in Nigeria into a new Tolaram entity; (B) the sale of 50% of Tolaram Africa to Kelloggs; and (C) a joint venture for the manufacture and distribution of Kelloggs’ products throughout Africa. Like other M&A transactions, the major challenges were regulatory. They were, however, not insuperable. We also successfully defended the Bureau of Public Enterprises in a suit brought to upturn the privatisation of NITEL Plc, the erstwhile telecoms monopoly. We have a reputation for, and an outstanding record of carrying out the most challenging corporate finance litigation and transactions in the most creative manner to the highest standards.
What sets the firm apart is the quality of our services, which always exceed client expectations. As an ISO 9001:2008 certified organisation, the firm delivers services hours ahead of agreed schedules and provides non-legal solutions to achieve customer satisfaction at all times. Our lawyers are clientfriendly and update the clients from time-to-time on new laws, regulations or other legal developments and practices affecting their businesses.
Ultimately the quality of our work, our sensitivity to our clients’ business needs and concerns and promptness in responding to and executing their instructions are unparalleled. We offer creative and business-oriented solutions to the complexities of any deal. Our clients and colleagues recognize us as one of the firms with the highest ethical value.
Overall, G. Elias & Co. is active on the ‘cutting edge’ of Nigerian law and legal practice, particularly in the fields of asset acquisition, infrastructure financings denominated in hard currencies, banking, capital markets, tax, shipping, dispute resolution and intellectual property. The firm is led by Gbolahan Elias (SAN) (Presiding Partner), Segun Omoregie (Partner) and myself, and this strong leadership team will help drive the firm to success in the future.
Company: G. Elias & Co.
(Solicitors and Advocates)
Name: Fred Onuobia
Email: fred.onuobia@gelias.com;
gelias@gelias.com
Web: www.gelias.com
Address: NCR Building,
6 Broad Street, Lagos.
Telephone: 01-4607890
