Francis Ebuka Ekechi

Ekechi Francis Ebuka is a Partner at Hans Offia & Associates, with particular interest and technical expertise in Corporate & Commercial Law and Regulatory Compliance

A versatile Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, he routinely advises Nigerian and international clients on all aspects of Banking & Finance, Loan Syndication, Bond Issuance, corporate and project finance, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets & securities law as well as investment banking. He also regularly facilitates trainings and webinars in his field of expertise.

He has experience on a broad range of lending and commercial transactions, such as large local and foreign currency loan syndications and leases, mergers and acquisitions, project finance and transaction restructuring. He regularly advises corporates, project sponsors, fund managers, banks and other financiers on equity and debt capital raising, fund formation, and the structuring, financing and development of projects, asset management, private equity and bond offering.

He was formerly a Unit Head, Legal, corporate finance & Company Secretariat Department of the fastest growing commercial bank in Nigeria, Titan Trust Bank Limited, before proceeding to the Legal Services Department of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

His role in Legal & corporate finance advisory involved leading transactions in the areas of loan syndications, infrastructure financing, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring; and, as legal counsel, he was responsible for managing outside counsel and internally providing legal support and deal structuring services in the areas of corporate and project finance, fixed income sales and trading, asset management, private equity and bond offering.

Before Titan Trust Bank, he had worked in the Legal Department of Zenith Bank Plc for a couple of years.

Francis’ strength lies in finding solutions to complex legal issues, and in providing legal support to his clients in a manner that enables them to successfully complete deals.

Professional Affiliations

Nigeria Bar Association

Education

• University of Lagos (LL.M)
• Nigerian Law School (B.L)
• Ebonyi State University (LL.B)