Partner
Munirudeen is currently, the Deputy Head of the Litigation Group in the Firm. In that capacity, he directly supervises and is involved in all contentious and non-contentious Litigation and Dispute Resolution matters which PUC handles. Munirudeen, a skilful advocate, joined PUC in 1998, at which time he worked in both the Transactional and Advocacy Practice of the Firm. This afforded him the opportunity to sharpen and broaden his knowledge and experience in the Transaction and Commercial Practice of the Firm as well as cut his legal teeth in Advocacy under the tutelage of the Firm’s Senior Partner, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN. Munirudeen has appeared before the various Court hierarchies and Tribunals in Nigeria.
He is lead Counsel to Shell Petroleum Development Company (“SPDC”) in a dispute at the instance of Doyin Motors Limited, claiming special damages in excess of N1Billion for breach of contract. SPDC also counterclaimed for amount in excess of N200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira). He is one of the Counsel currently representing Access Bank Plc in a commercial dispute involving the provision of a loan facility of over US$133Million granted to Coscharis Motor Limited for the importation of petroleum products and guaranteed by Capital Oil Limited and its Managing Director.
He is also one of the Counsel representing the Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc in a dispute with the Lagos State Government (LASG) relating to Nigeria’s pioneer Power Purchase Agreement, the AES PPA that was promoted by LASG and in which the two disputants are parties, alongside AES. The summation of claim is not less in the region of N16,000,000,000.00 (approximately US$103,200.000.00 He is representing Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council and First City Monument Bank Plc in one of the Nigerian most complex arbitrations involving Econet Wireless Limited (“EWL”) against Delta State Government and other Shareholders of Vee Networks Limited. EWL is seeking to unwind the approximately US$1 Billion Celtel’s Transaction that resulted in the 65% equity stake in Vee Networks Limited (now Airtel) by Celtel Nigeria BV.
He was one of the Counsel that represented CAMAC Group in a suit that sought to nullify its acquisition of 100% shareholding in a petroleum company owning 40% interest in an Oil Mining Lease (OML). The Plaintiff had asked the court to void the acquisition on the ground that the consent of Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister was required for the transfer of shares in an OML holding company. Munirudeen worked with Paul in successfully defending the group in the suit and negotiated the US$53million settlement between the parties.
He represented Niger State at the Supreme Court in 3 (three) landmark disputes between (i) Attorney General of the Federation against Attorney General of Abia State and 35 Others (2002) 6 NWLR (pt.764) 542 in respect of control, ownership and distribution of the nation’s mineral resources, otherwise known as Resource Control Suit; (ii) Attorney General of Ondo State against Attorney General of Federation and 35 Others (2002) 9 NWLR (pt.772)p.222 in respect of legislative body competent to enact anti-corruption laws as between the State and National Assemblies in Nigeria; and (iii) Attorney General of Lagos State against Attorney General of the Federation and 35 Others (2003) 12 NWLR (pt.833)p.1 in respect of legislative body competent to enact urban and regional planning and development laws, as between the State and National Assemblies in Nigeria.