By Akanimo Sampson
Jackson, Etti & Edu (JEE), a law firm that gives a rare insight into how the law relates to its clients’ businesses is valuing Nigeria’s housing deficit at over N59.50 trillion.
‘’With over 17 million housing deficit valued at over N59.50 trillion to fix, it cannot be over emphasized that there are huge opportunities and investments in the Nigerian real estate sector’’, the firm states on its website.
According to it, these investment potentials are further evidenced by the projected exponential growth in future in view of the existing high property rates and rapid rate of urbanisation in cities like Lagos.
‘’We represent various real estate players ranging from investors, financiers, purchasers, vendors and property development companies including an international property development company and the oldest state property development company’’, Jackson, Etti & Edu says .
Adding, it says, ‘’we possess the expertise and are very commercial in handling complex property deals ranging from acquisition, development, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit.
‘’Our geographical reach and creative real estate lawyers enable us to support any real estate project across the country. We routinely advise on development and planning; project and construction; large loans and loan restructuring. JEE has advised on the development of hotels, office blocks, mixed-use development projects, large loans and loan restructuring and has been responsible for coordinating major development and construction projects.
‘’We offer deep knowledge not just of the law, but of the sectors in which our clients work. This extra dimension to our expertise sets Jackson, Etti & Edu apart.
‘’We are a sector-focused full service law firm focused on energy & infrastructure, fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs), financial services, health & pharmaceuticals, public sector, technology, media & entertainment.’’
The firm says it has earned a reputation for delivering the kind of resolutely commercial advice that is essential to compete at the highest levels of business. ‘’Working with so many ambitious, leading organisations, we are often advising on issues that shape entire sectors and on which the future of a business might depend.’’
JEE is boasting of having acted for the French Embassy in Nigeria in respect of the sale of its property in Lagos by public bid; for the Australian High Commission on the property sale and re-location of the Commission from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory; and for the Bridge Clinic Limited on the purchase of its head office in Ikeja GRA, Lagos valued at N280,000,000.
It has also acted for PathCare Nigeria Limited on the purchase of its head office in Ilupeju, Lagos valued at N170,000,000; advising a Dubai-based International real estate development company on the development of a high-brow 264 luxury serviced residential apartment cum hotel in Abuja valued at approximately $150,000,000; and advising a Special Purpose Vehicle on the mixed used development of a parcel of land measuring 6.6 hectares situate in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State to be comprised of a retail shopping facility; a hotel; and a residential/office blocks.
Acting for the oldest State Property Development Company, Lagos State Property and Development Corporation, with respect to the preparation and drafting of Deeds of Assignment and other Conveyancing documents relating to at about 1,000 residential buildings comprising detached houses, semi-detached houses, terrace houses and blocks of flats spread across 7 (seven) residential estates in Lagos State.
Taiwo Adeshina is a partner of the firm’s Corporate Commercial Practice and is Sector Head for the firm’s Energy & Infrastructure Sector.
His expertise includes negotiating, drafting and advising on the various commercial contracts relevant to the Energy Sector. He routinely advises on rights and obligations of parties relating to international investments, as well as structure, regulatory and legal framework for participating in Nigeria Energy Space.
Taiwo’s expertise also extends to Labour and Employment, Real Estate, Trade and Project Finance and general legal advisory. Having started out within the firm as a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Practice Group, Taiwo has a solid background in litigation and alternative dispute resolution. This, together with his secondment experience at Norton Rose and Fulbright LLP, makes him a complete commercially aware lawyer.
