Meet Nonso Azih: A Distinguished Maritime Lawyer and Advocate for Justice

Mr. CHUKWUNONSO EMMANUEL AZIH (popularly called ‘NONSO AZIH) is the Principal Counsel at AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners, a Lagos based dispute resolution and commercial law firm.

Mr. Azih has a solid professional background built on strong work ethics and integrity. He is an experienced and astute dispute resolution specialist and maritime lawyer with a strong commercial edge.

Mr. Azih started his law career in May 2006 as a law school extern at the renowned firm of Udom & Udom Legal Practitioners, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island Lagos.

Between September 2007 and October 2008, he served as a Pupil State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice Minna Niger State for the NYSC programme, where he devotedly worked with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Director of Civil Litigation (DCL) in high and low profile criminal and civil litigation.

Immediately after NYSC, he was hired by the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, led by Mr. Ubong Esop Akpan Esq, a protege of the great legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, where he cut his teeth in commercial and criminal litigation practice.

He later worked with Foundation Chambers under the close tutelage and supervision of Mr. Chidi Ilogu SAN – a leading maritime and commercial lawyer and arbitrator between 2009 and 2012.

He joined the firm of Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun (ACAS-Law), now known as Dentons-ACAS-Law in 2012, working in the Shipping and Litigation Team headed by Mrs Funke Agbor SAN until August 2014 when he resigned to embark on further studies.

In January 2015, he was invited to join Banwo & Ighodalo – a top tier, full service firm – where worked in the Shipping, Aviation, International Trade (SAIT) and Commercial Litigation Department of the magic circle firm.

In 2017, as a Senior Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo, Mr. Azih was recognized as a Next Generation Lawyer in Shipping and Transport by Legal 500 – a reputable global legal recognition platform.

His legal services experience is blended with a key in-house role at APM Terminals – a world-class, leading shipping logistics and terminal operation entity, and a member of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, where he served as General Manager Legal for the Nigerian operations between December 2017 and August 2020. He doubled as the Business Compliance Ambassador (BCA) for Nigeria, advising management on anti-corruption, competition, and foreign trade control rules, in line with international best practices.

Mr. Azih revived Azih & Azih Legal Practitioners (a firm he had earlier set up with his younger brother Nnagozie Azih Esq (former partner but currently a Managing Associate at Dentons ACAS-LAW) in September 2014 while undertaking further studies) and began operations in earnest on 1st September 2020.

In about 4 years of operation, the firm has made indelible marks in maritime/shipping law, commercial litigation, employment and labour law, family law, data privacy/ protection compliance and litigation, etc.

Mr. Azih has over the course of his law practice advised and represented multinationals, local companies, shipowners, terminal operators, shipping lines, banks, local and International oil companies (IOCs), government MDAs, and diverse corporate and individual clients in shipping, admiralty, commercial litigation matters including carriage of goods by sea, arrest/release of ships, port operations, cargo and vessel damage claims, marine insurance, collision, general average, pilotage, port/ICD operation disputes, employment and labour law, taxation, international trade, data privacy and protection, family law etc.

He has authored several published articles on maritime law, employment and labour law, commercial litigation, etc.

In 2022, Mr. Azih led the litigation team at Azih & Azih to secure a first in time judgment with damages for data privacy breaches against a leading commercial bank in Nigeria in the case of Chiebuka Nworah v UBA Plc in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1484/2021 (unreported) delivered by Hon. Justice Aluko of the Federal High Court Lagos Division on 6th May 2022. He’s received several commendations from judges for his advocacy skills and standard of law practice.

Mr. Azih has good port and shipping industry stakeholder management experience having worked closely with port stakeholders such as Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Port Authority(NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Nigerian Navy, the Police, freight forwarders, clearing agents, shippers, consignees and general cargo interests.

Mr. Azih graduated from the prestigious University of Nigeria in 2005 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on November 7th 2006, after completing Law School at the Lagos Campus.

He holds an LLM in commercial and maritime law from the University of Lagos and a Certificate in Maritime Dispute Resolution and Arbitration from the world renowned Lloyd’s Maritime Academy.

He is an accredited Mediator of the Lagos State Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC).

He has been an active member of NBA Lagos Branch, where he serves as a key member of the Human Rights Committee, NBA National Litigation Committee, amongst others.

Mr. Azih has been a member of Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) since 2009, and Employment and Labour Lawyers Association (ELLAN) since 2019.

He is a member of the Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee set up Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) in 2020 as a platform to reform key
procedural rules and substantive laws in boosting industry confidence in dispute resolution and efficiency of Admiralty law and practice
in Nigeria.

Mr. Azih is a Knight of the Ancient and Noble Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI); and a member of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938.

He loves to sing, write, and engage in cerebral discussions, particularly on socio-economic and legal issues.

He is a notable youth and community development advocate with a bias for probity, integrity, and justice.

He has been recognised for his commitment to supporting young lawyers, for his down-to-earth-mentorhip disposition, and his commitment to self development.