Kenna Partners, typically shortened to Kenna is one of Nigeria's leading law firms headquartered in Lagos, with offices in Abuja and Enugu. The firm is known for its work in dispute resolution and specialized transactions in energy, telecommunications, and financial services. The firm is regulated by the General Council of the Bar.[1]

Kenna Partners
HeadquartersLagos, Nigeria
No. of officesThree (Lagos, Abuja, Enugu)
No. of attorneys71
No. of employees112
Major practice areasCommercial Law,
Civil Litigation,
Energy & Natural Resources,
Dispute Resolution,
Intellectual Property,
Labour & Employment,
Estate & Wealth,
Telecommunications,
Taxation,
Private Equity,
Corporate Governance,
Arbitration,
Maritime
Key people
  • Professor Fabian Ajogwu SAN, OFR
  • Dr. Michael Ajogwu, SAN
  • Ituah Imhanze, MCIArb
  • Charles Nwabulu LL.M.
  • Adekunle Omidiora
  • Matthew Echo
  • Adeola Adeniyi
  • Justina Fakulude
  • Okey Ekweanya
  • Nimma Jo-Madugu
  • Afolabi Laoye
Date founded1993
Company typepartnership
Websitekennapartners.com

History

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Founded in 1993 as Kenna & Associates and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, the firm underwent a restructuring to become Kenna Partners in 2011.[2]

In the year 2013, the firm celebrated its 20th anniversary[3] with the presentation of a book titled ‘Law & Society’ authored by Fabian Ajogwu SAN (Senior Partner in the firm)[4][5] and presented by Dr Christopher Kolade CON. The firm marked its 25th anniversary in 2018 with the presentation of the book Brief Insights: A Selection of Milestone Cases, authored by the firm.[6]

In 2023, the firm announced a leadership change with the appointment of a Managing Partner and Deputy Managing Partner, with a Practice Director at the helm of its administration.[7] It also celebrated its 30th anniversary with a colloquium of national importance which featured Professor Mervyn King SC in the same year,[8] and presented the second volume of its book Brief Insights: A Selection of Milestone Cases.

The firm's client list includes public and privately held commercial businesses and financial institutions, multinational firms, as well as governments and state-owned entities.[9]

Practice Areas

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Kenna Partners is fully registered with the Africa Finance Corporation.[10] The firm is structured into three main Groups – Commercial Law (corporate & investment dealings) Group, Energy & Natural Resources Practice Group, and Civil Litigation and Dispute Management Group.[11] The firm’s practice areas include:

Publications

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The firm continues to contribute immensely to legal development practice in Nigeria through the authoring of notable books that were published by Center for Commercial Law Development (CCLD). Some of which are:

  • Kenna Partners (2023), Brief Insights: A Selection of Milestone Cases – Volume II, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), 434 pages, ISBN 978-978-799-583-9
  • King, Mervyn and Ajogwu, Fabian (2020), Outcomes-Based Governance: A Modern Approach to Corporate Governance, Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd, ISBN 978-1-48513-568-5, Cape Town, South Africa, 207 pages
  • Kenna Partners (2018), Brief Insights: A Selection of Milestone Cases, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), ISBN 978-978-969-193-7, Lagos, Nigeria, 362 pages
  • Ajogwu, Fabian (2017), Ship Acquisition & Finance: Law & Practice, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), Lagos, Nigeria, 255 pages, ISBN 978-978-952-388-7
  • Solanke, Folake and Ajogwu, Fabian (2016), Oral & Written Advocacy: Law & Practice, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), ISBN 978-978-952-389-4, Lagos, Nigeria, 302 pages
  • Ajogwu, Fabian and Kenna Partners (2015), Trade & Investments in Nigeria: Legal & Regulatory Aspects, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), ISBN 978-978-948-236-8, Lagos, Nigeria, 436 pages
  • Ajogwu, et al, (2015), Company Secretary’s Guide on Corporate Governance, Commercial Law Development Services (CLDS), ISBN 978-978-946-691-7, Lagos, Nigeria, 329 pages
  • Ajogwu, Fabian and Oscar Nliam (2014): Petroleum Law and Sustainable Development, Eds. Center for Commercial Law Development (CCLD), Lagos, Nigeria[12][13]
  • Ajogwu, Fabian (2010), Fair Hearing, Centre for Commercial Law Development (CCLD), Lagos, Nigeria, 166 pages, ISBN 978-978-912-804-4
  • Ajogwu, Fabian and Kenna & Associates (2007), Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Business (Issues in doing business in Nigeria) Eds. Center for Commercial Law Development (CCLD), Lagos, Nigeria[14]
  • Ajogwu, Fabian (2007), Corporate Governance in Nigeria: Law and Practice, Eds. Center for Commercial Law Development (CCLD), Lagos, Nigeria[14]
  • Ajogwu Fabian (2013), Law & Society Eds. Center for Commercial Law Development (CCLD), Lagos, Nigeria (Published to marked 20th Anniversary of the firm)[5]
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The firm continues to represent Nigerian Government on some notable cases and has made other key contributions to the legal jurisprudence, among which includes:

Social Responsibility

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Kenna has a history of supporting charitable causes in the arts and education. In 2015, the firm supported the establishment of the AIFA Reading Society, a non-profit organisation committed to promoting literacy and a reading culture among children and adults in Nigeria and continues to support the causes of the organization.[25][26][27][28]

The firm also played a key role in the founding of the Society for Art Collection (SARTCOL), a charitable organization providing a platform for educated collection and promotion of the arts, in 2015.[29][30][31] The firm was also involved in the founding of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria in 2005. [32]

The firm also supports various student-driven initiatives and periodically awards scholarships to recipients, through the Kenna Foundation and Fabian Ajogwu Foundation.[33][34][35][36][37][38][39] The firm is pro-green and actively promotes green practices.[40]

The firm was involved in the establishment of corporate governance forum, The Governance Platform in 2023.[41] Kenna has shown support to the Lagos Business School over the years with firm members hosting sessions on business law, governance, negotiation & ethics.[42]

References

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  1. ^ "Malami inaugurates NBA's bar council". premiumtimesng.com. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ CAC Publications, 2011 - CAC Issued Certificate of Incorporation to Newly Registered Companies for 2011
  3. ^ Akintunde, Akinwale (26 Nov 2013). "Solanke: Only Law at its Best Holds Society Together". This Day Live Newspapers. Leaders & Company Limited. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14.
  4. ^ CHIOMA. "Kolade, Osunkeye present book on "Law & Society" By Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN". Centre For Commercial Law Development. CCLD. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b Igbowelendu, Precious (26 November 2013). "Using law to build society". The Nation Newspapers.
  6. ^ "Stakeholders advocate paradigm shifts in legal practice". guardian.ng. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Firm announces two partners — Appointments". guardian.ng. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Kenna Partners Marks 30 Years of Legal Landmarks". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  9. ^ "About US". Kenna Partners. Archived from the original on 2014-05-11.
  10. ^ "Registered Law Firms". African Finance Corporation. AFC.
  11. ^ "Practice Areas". Kenna Partners. Archived from the original on 2013-08-28.
  12. ^ "Importance Of The PIB Bill Highlighted At CCLD's Book Presentation – PETROLEUM LAW & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT". Center for Commercial Law Development. Archived from the original on 2014-10-31.
  13. ^ Asu, Femi (June 6, 2014). "PIB passage key to unlocking mega oil, gas investments". Business Day Online Newspapers.
  14. ^ a b UChe Nworah (October 14, 2007). "Fabian Ajogwu Presents Books On Corporate Governance & Commerce". Nigeria Village Square.
  15. ^ ADE ADESOMOJU (Jul 9, 2014). "BPE opposes motion to stop power station privatisation". The Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2014-07-10.
  16. ^ The Sun (Mar 1, 2014). "FG stalls Sanusi's suit in court". The Sun Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07.
  17. ^ "ECOWAS Court Dismisses N84 Billion Suit Against the Federal Govt". Abusidiqu News Media Limited. Feb 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Prof. Fabian Ajogwu SAN elected President of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators". businessday.ng. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Fabian Ajogwu: A Well-deserved Recognition". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  20. ^ "FRCN develops corporate governance code for Nigeria". guardian.ng. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Meet SCGN Founder". corpgovnigeria.org. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Clipping the Wings of Regulatory Agencies". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Appeal Court Dismisses ITF's Suit against Pan Atlantic University". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Court of Appeal Affirms Regulatory Powers of NIMASA; Returns N7 Billion to the Agency". shippingposition.com.ng. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  25. ^ "'Government Must Develop a Policy that Would Make Nigeria an Arbitration Hub'". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  26. ^ "AIFA Reading Society, NNPC, Shell Donate to Eko Akete Grammar School". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  27. ^ "AIFA Reading Society rewards winners". guardian.ng. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  28. ^ Marvin Vin-Ohizu,"AIFA helping to ensure sustainable development through literacy". businessday.ng. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Society for art collection debuts, seeks to educate Collectors on Provenance Rights". guardian.ng. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  30. ^ "A New Vision for Art Collection". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Art holds enormous societal transformative power". guardian.ng. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  32. ^ "About Us". corpgovnigeria.org. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  33. ^ "No Hurdles Too High: Samson Adams Claims Top Honours at Pan-Atlantic University's 20th Convocation". pau.edu.ng. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Society promotes reading culture in school, donates educational materials". guardian.ng. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Kenna Foundation Partners With Ikeja Lions Club To Fund Cataract Surgeries". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Kenna Partners Champions Sustainability at AmbiZero Conference". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Kenna Partners Supports ADR Meet 6.0". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Kenna Partners Sponsors Law Graduates to the Nigerian Law School". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Kenna Partners Supports Legal Education Through UNN Tax Club Luncheon". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Kenna Partners Restates Commitment to Environmental Sustainability". kennapartners.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  41. ^ "TGP INITIATOR". thegovernanceplatform.org. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Ajogwu Becomes LBS Professor of Corporate Governance". lbs.edu.ng. Retrieved 7 February 2024.