Corporate Finance, Private Equity And Venture Capital

Our expertise in finance transactions cuts across the wide spectrum of equity and debt offerings in both the public and private markets. Our experience includes representing issuers, selling shareholders and underwriters. We have negotiated and/or reviewed many different types of loan agreements with banks and other financial institutions locally and internationally.

With regards to venture capital, we advise our clients on all aspects of the venture capital business, from the raising of new pools of capital and negotiating with potential investors to the structuring of portfolio investments and exit strategies. We have structured many different types of investment vehicles depending on the nature of the investors and the countries in which the venture capital investments will be made. We assist our venture capital clients in realising their investments in a variety of transactions including public offerings and private sales of shares and assets. We have in recent times had occasion to provide advice in the form of legal opinions for overseas financial institutions in respect of a number of transactions involving Nigerian entities. In mentioning a few, includes:

  • acting as solicitors to Fortis Bank S.A and Banque Belgolaise Bank in a credit agreement relating to a dollar term loan facility evidencing a red clause advance of $15,000,000 for the purchase of shares in one of the privatised enterprises in the oil industry in Nigeria.
  • acting as solicitors to London Trust Bank Plc in respect of a proposed $5,000,000 loan facility for a ship acquisition.
  • acted as solicitors to International Finance Corporation and other financiers in a Restructuring Override Agreement between Helios Towers Nigeria Limited and Helios Towers Mauritius Holdings Limited and their financiers.

 

We recognise the fact that in handling briefs of this nature, speed and professionalism are of the utmost essence. Accordingly, we, as a matter of standard practice, deliver legal opinions within 36 hours of the firm being instructed and receipt of all draft security documentation.

With regard to private equity transactions, we have been involved in and structured numerous deals including but not limited to:

 

  • acting in an advisory legal capacity to the restructuring and injection of new capital by investors in Toyota Nigeria Limited.
  • advising and structuring the investment of about N1Billion in Pacific Bank Limited.
  • advising and structuring the equity participation of foreigners in Endev Nigeria Limited set for the development of the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos.
  • advising and structuring the equity participation of foreigners in Franki West Africa Limited (a subsidiary of Franki Group, one of the largest piling companies in South Africa).
  • advisers to First City Monument Bank in respect of the acquisition of shares by Helios Partners LLP in 2006.
  • advisers to First City Monument Bank in respect of US $36 Million facility to CBO Oil & Gas Limited in respect of share acquisition in First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited in 2010.
  • advisers to First City Monument Bank in respect of US $7 Million loan facility to Lagos Preparatory School Limited in 2010.
  • advisers to First City Monument Bank in respect of US $7 Million loan facility to First City Petroleum and Gas Limited in respect of share acquisition in First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited in 2010.