Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN
Partner and Head of Tax - Aluko & Oyebode
Chukwuka is a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation and Arbitration practice. He also heads the Firm’s Taxation practice. He has considerable tax advisory and adjudicatory experiences.
He renders on-going tax advice to the Firm’s clients including those in the oil and gas, Banking and telecoms sector. He has also represented the Firm’s clients in tax litigation before several courts in Nigeria. Chukwuka is currently representing four international oil companies in over eight different tax disputes against Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service before the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
He also specializes in commercial litigation and has conducted litigation on an extensive range of issues, including those pertaining to oil and gas, maritime, intellectual property, telecommunications, taxation, finance and banking, contracts, receiverships and insolvency both at trial and appellate levels.
He has represented various clients including oil companies, telecommunication companies and banks both in litigation and arbitration proceedings. He renders legal advice on a wide range of commercial transactions.
Chukwuka is a key member of Aluko & Oyebode’s counsel team currently acting (as co-counsel) with Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer LLP in an ad-hoc arbitration under in respect of a deep offshore production sharing contract dispute. He is also a key member of the Firm’s team currently acting (as co-counsel) with Hogan Lovells International LLP in another ad-hoc arbitration in respect of another deep offshore production sharing contract dispute.
Chukwuka also worked closely with Mr. Fagbohunlu as lead counsel in representing the Firm’s clients in numerous litigation and arbitration proceedings. Chukwuka was a key member of the Firm’s team (led by Mr. Fagbohunlu) which won a favourable award for the Firm’s clients in an arbitration involving several tax disputes arising from the operation and performance of a 1993 PSC executed between NNPC and some IOCs.
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He is a seasoned arbitrator who has served as arbitrator in several high-profile disputes. He is currently serving as a party-appointed arbitrator in a reference. The reference involves a claim running into hundreds of millions of Naira.
He is a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC). LACIAC is the arbitration institute of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He served as a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Petroleum Industry Bill Review. Chukwuka also served Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch (July 2017 to July 2019).
Chukwuka has, for close to two decades, been conducting complex commercial litigation in Nigeria before trial courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He has conducted litigation on an extensive range of issues, including those pertaining to oil and gas, taxation, maritime, intellectual property, telecommunications, finance and banking, receiverships, and insolvency.
Chukwuka delivers specialized legal services tailored to the needs of private wealth clients. His deep understanding of taxation and litigation allows him to provide strategic advice on wealth management, asset protection, and succession planning. He assists private wealth clients in navigating complex legal landscapes, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, and minimizing risks associated with wealth accumulation and distribution. With a focus on risk management, Chukwuka helps private wealth clients mitigate potential legal challenges and safeguard their assets. His extensive experience in dispute resolution enables him to effectively represent private wealth clients in contentious matters, whether in litigation or arbitration proceedings. Chukwuka's commitment to delivering tailored solutions ensures that private wealth clients receive personalized and proactive legal support to achieve their financial objectives and protect their legacies.
