Biography
Barrister, England and Wales
PhD in Literature
Barrister, England and Wales
PhD in Literature
University of Oxford
École Normale Supérieure (Ulm Street)
Paris-Sorbonne University (Paris IV)
University of Toulouse II
Obioma Ofoego is a barrister and co-heads the firm's English law practice. In addition to English commercial law, he focuses his practice on international dispute resolution, including investment arbitration, international commercial arbitration, and disputes involving international organizations. A specialist litigator, he has appeared before international tribunals in disputes governed by international law as well as common law and civil law systems. He works in English, French, and Spanish.
Obioma has advised and represented governments, public companies, multinational corporations, and private clients in multiple landmark disputes involving billions of dollars. Its expertise covers disputes across all industrial and economic sectors, with a particular focus on energy (traditional and renewable), mining, construction and infrastructure, as well as banking and financial services. It has also developed a niche practice in disputes relating to the hotel industry (management, franchising, lease management).
Before joining the firm, Obioma practiced as a commercial barrister at a leading chambers in London, then at Dentons and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP in Paris. He has significant experience in public administration, having been seconded as an assistant legal adviser to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has been named one of the 50 most promising young arbitration practitioners in Africa and has been featured in ICSID's Young ICSID Profiles series.
Educated at Oxford University, the École Normale Supérieure on Rue d'Ulm, Paris-Sorbonne University (Paris IV), and Toulouse-II University, Obioma also holds a doctorate in literature. He has also served as an advisor on educational policy to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
EXPERIENCE
XX Representative Cases
Advising an African state in a $12 billion ICSID arbitration against a European investment fund concerning the historic acquisition of shares in the state's smallest bank. French language.
Counsel for a U.S. national against a Southeast Asian state in an investment treaty arbitration valued at $2 billion and subject to UNCITRAL rules, concerning the state's unilateral decision to cancel a coal-fired power plant construction project.
Advising two European energy companies against the Russian Federation in an investment arbitration under UNCITRAL rules concerning seizures carried out by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Advising a European EPC company (defendant) against a European energy company in a FAI arbitration valued at €300 million, based in Helsinki and governed by Finnish law, relating to the termination of an EPC contract for the construction of a power plant in Finland.
Advising a major French oil company (defendant) against a major Dutch oil company in an ICC arbitration valued at $350 million, seated in London and governed by English law, concerning the interpretation of a warranty contained in a share purchase agreement.
Advised two major mining companies, one European and one North American (claimants), in two ICC emergency arbitrations valued at €250 million and in the subsequent joint proceedings relating to the non-performance of standby letters of credit issued by a West African bank. Language: French.
Advising the Dutch subsidiary of a real estate asset management and energy company in an ICSID arbitration against Italy valued at $90 million, relating to Italy's revision of its renewable energy (solar) incentive programs.
Advising a hotel company (claimant) against a South Asian hotel owner in a $90 million ICC arbitration seated in London and governed by English law, relating to the termination of a management agreement for one of Africa's most iconic hotels.
Advising an international hotel company (claimant) in seven parallel ICC emergency arbitrations conducted in London and Stockholm and governed by English and Danish law, relating to the wrongful termination of seven hotel franchise agreements covering properties located in the Russian Federation.
Advising an American company (claimant) in ICC arbitration proceedings seated in Geneva and governed by Swiss law, concerning a claim for compensation for alleged infringement of patents essential to a standard.
EXPERIENCE
10 Representative Cases
Advising an African state in a $12 billion ICSID arbitration against a European investment fund concerning the historic acquisition of shares in the state's smallest bank. French language.
Counsel for a U.S. national against a Southeast Asian state in an investment treaty arbitration valued at $2 billion and subject to UNCITRAL rules, concerning the state's unilateral decision to cancel a coal-fired power plant construction project.
Advising two European energy companies against the Russian Federation in an investment arbitration under UNCITRAL rules concerning seizures carried out by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Advising a European EPC company (defendant) against a European energy company in a FAI arbitration valued at €300 million, based in Helsinki and governed by Finnish law, relating to the termination of an EPC contract for the construction of a power plant in Finland.
Advising a major French oil company (defendant) against a major Dutch oil company in an ICC arbitration valued at $350 million, seated in London and governed by English law, concerning the interpretation of a warranty contained in a share purchase agreement.
Advised two major mining companies, one European and one North American (claimants), in two ICC emergency arbitrations valued at €250 million and in the subsequent joint proceedings relating to the non-performance of standby letters of credit issued by a West African bank. Language: French.
Advising the Dutch subsidiary of a real estate asset management and energy company in an ICSID arbitration against Italy valued at $90 million, relating to Italy's revision of its renewable energy (solar) incentive programs.
Advising a hotel company (claimant) against a South Asian hotel owner in a $90 million ICC arbitration seated in London and governed by English law, relating to the termination of a management agreement for one of Africa's most iconic hotels.
Advising an international hotel company (claimant) in seven parallel ICC emergency arbitrations conducted in London and Stockholm and governed by English and Danish law, relating to the wrongful termination of seven hotel franchise agreements covering properties located in the Russian Federation.
Advising an American company (claimant) in ICC arbitration proceedings seated in Geneva and governed by Swiss law, concerning a claim for compensation for alleged infringement of patents essential to a standard.