Biography: Mergers and Acquisitions

Oghogho Makinde has been a partner in Aluko & Oyebode since 2003. She is a key member of the firm's banking and project finance teams and energy and natural resources department. She advises on banking and commercial transactions, oil and gas project finance, E & P restructurings, public and private offerings of stock and debt, security issues, all Nigerian statutory and regulatory compliance matters and corporate governance issues, amongst other things. She also has extensive experience in commercial litigation.

Oghogho recently advised on the acquisition, by an American oil and gas company, of a participating interest in a Nigerian oilfield located within an oil-mining lease via a share exchange and novation arrangement. Specific assignments included conducting a due diligence, reviewing and advising on the purchase and sale agreement and the legal and regulatory framework for the acquisition. The transaction resulted in the change of the American oil company's name and the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the first company originating from Nigeria. The transaction has been reported in several international and Nigerian newspapers as historical (2010).

She recently advised on the restructuring of the corporate structure and operations of a Nigerian logistics company, which handles product transportation and logistics for the largest alcoholic beverages producer in West Africa. Specific assignments included drafting and reviewing the relationship agreement and the logistics agreement; advising on the requirements for the assignment of the debts and liabilities of a company to an SPV and on the release of charges (2009 to 2010).

Oghogho received an honours degree (LLB) from the University of Benin in 1988 and an LLM from the University of Lagos in 1999. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association.