Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers) is a leading full-service law firm in Nigeria, renowned for excellence in advocacy, commercial law, and legal advisory. Founded in 1965 by Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, OFR, the firm has built a reputation for integrity, innovation, and unmatched legal expertise over nearly six decades.
With offices in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, our team of over 200 lawyers—including multiple Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs)—offers top-tier legal services to individuals, corporations, and governments across Nigeria and internationally.
We specialize in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, constitutional law, energy and natural resources, real estate, banking and finance, and intellectual property. Our legacy of precedent-setting cases and landmark decisions places us among the most respected legal institutions in Africa.
At Afe Babalola & Co., we combine deep local insight with global standards. Whether you're facing a complex commercial dispute, navigating regulatory frameworks, or seeking strategic legal counsel, our team is committed to delivering results that matter.
Founded in 1965
200 people in their team
Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers) is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s leading law firms in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). With a robust team of experienced arbitrators and over 15 members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), our firm brings depth, authority, and global expertise to every arbitration proceeding.
Our Principal and Founding Partner, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, currently serves as the President of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICA), further affirming our leadership in the arbitration space.
We have represented sovereign governments, multinational corporations, and private clients in high-stakes arbitration proceedings across various sectors, including:
Notably, our Managing Partner, Bayo Adenipekun, SAN, leads the legal team representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and is a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague.
We combine technical excellence with industry insight to resolve complex disputes efficiently and equitably, whether under local or international arbitration rules.
We offers a formidable criminal law practice built on decades of courtroom experience, strategic advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to justice. We provide comprehensive legal support in all stages of criminal proceedings—from police interviews and bail applications to trial and appellate defense.
Our criminal defense team is known for its tough, methodical, and principled approach. We scrutinize both legal elements and evidentiary facts, ensuring that our clients receive fair representation and that convictions are secured only when the evidence meets the highest standard—proof beyond reasonable doubt.
We also maintain a strong pro bono criminal defense practice, representing indigent defendants, including those on death row. Notably, our Partner Sina Ogungbade has secured sentence reductions and full acquittals in multiple high-profile appeals, such as Stephen Egwu v. The State, Okiki Faleye v. The State, John Olomo v. The State, and Ahmadu v. State.
Our experience spans the full judicial hierarchy, and we have represented both private defendants and the Federal Government of Nigeria, including in the widely publicized prosecution of the alleged attempted assassins of Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Whether you require assertive defense or sensitive legal guidance, our team is prepared to safeguard your rights and liberty.
Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers) has a distinguished legacy in tort law and personal injury claims, one of the firm’s earliest and most established areas of practice. From its inception under the leadership of our Founding and Principal Partner, we have consistently represented clients in both prosecuting and defending complex tortious actions.
Our expertise spans a wide range of tort cases, including negligence, nuisance, trespass, and occupiers’ liability. We are also widely recognized for handling sensitive matters involving defamation and damage to personality, with a strong track record of securing favorable judgments at all levels of the Nigerian judicial system.
Notably, we represented the claimant in the landmark Alawiye v. Ogunsanya libel case, which advanced to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, contributing to the evolution of defamation law in Nigeria. We also successfully defended Professor Tam David-West, a former Federal Minister, in multiple defamation lawsuits involving the publication of false and damaging statements.
Whether you are seeking redress for personal injury or reputation damage, or require a robust defense against such claims, our litigation team offers trusted counsel and courtroom excellence.
We bring strategic precision and legal tenacity to debt recovery. Backed by decades of experience in contract law, commercial law, banking, and hire-purchase agreements, our team has a proven track record of recovering significant sums on behalf of clients across Nigeria.
We understand the urgency and time-sensitivity of debt matters. Our lawyers work closely with financial experts to ensure that monetary claims are not only recovered but are also adjusted to reflect current economic realities—maximizing the actual value of every judgment or award.
Our expertise is well recognized, including our role in UBA Plc v. BTL Ltd (2006) 19 NWLR (Pt. 1013) 61, where we secured over ₦7 billion in compensation for our client in one of Nigeria’s most complex commercial disputes.
We also act for leading commercial banks in recovering debts from non-compliant debtors, deploying a strategic mix of interim, interlocutory, and final court orders to enforce financial obligations and protect our clients' interests.
With over 50 years of trusted service, Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers) has become a respected name in family law across generations. We provide compassionate, strategic, and discreet legal support to individuals and families navigating life’s most personal legal matters.
Our family law services include the drafting and attestation of wills, estate planning, and lifetime (inter vivos) property settlements for clients who prefer alternatives to testamentary dispositions. We also act as Solicitors to estates and serve as executors of wills, ensuring the smooth administration of assets according to our clients’ wishes.
We are also well-versed in matrimonial causes, including divorce, custody arrangements, and post-marriage negotiations, helping clients resolve sensitive disputes with dignity and legal clarity.
The practice is led by Senior Associate Abimbola Arowosebe, a seasoned practitioner and advocate for feminine rights, who brings both empathy and experience to every family matter.
We offers a comprehensive real estate and property law practice grounded in decades of experience representing clients in land-related disputes and transactions across Nigeria. We recognize that real property is not only a financial asset—it often carries strategic, emotional, and legacy value.
We have successfully represented clients in high-stakes landholding disputes, defending ownership rights and enforcing proprietary interests in courts across the country. Our team is equipped to handle the full range of property disputes, including boundary conflicts, adverse possession, tenancy issues, and land title claims.
Beyond litigation, we also provide end-to-end real estate legal services, including:
Currently, our firm advises on a multi-billion naira housing development project in Abuja, reflecting our continued relevance and expertise in Nigeria’s dynamic real estate sector.
Whether you're securing property rights, managing developments, or resolving complex disputes, our firm provides strategic legal guidance tailored to your goals.
We are trusted legal partner for companies navigating complex corporate disputes. We represent businesses in high-stakes matters involving shareholder conflicts, boardroom power struggles, executive employment disputes, and other forms of internal contention that can impact business continuity and governance.
With decades of experience in corporate law and commercial litigation, our team is skilled at resolving sensitive issues through litigation, arbitration, or strategic negotiation—always prioritizing our clients’ long-term business interests.
Whether you're facing a shareholder deadlock or a contentious leadership dispute, we bring clarity, strength, and discretion to the table. Our results-driven approach has earned us a reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading firms for corporate litigation.
