Razak
Atunwa

Razak enriched his experience when he sojourned into politics in Nigeria, rising from various sub-national positions to become a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives (20015 - 2019). In that Parliament, he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice. He also Chaired an Ad-hoc Committee which conducted a Parliamentary inquiry into the largest and most complicated scandal in the oil and gas industry: the Malabu Scandal, involving alleged fraud of $1.3billion by Government officials and multinational companies. The two-year-long inquiry afforded him significant insight into, and understanding of, the law and practice relating to the oil and gas industry. Razak was recently instructed in 2020 by an international oil company to recover multimillion dollars compensation from a state oil corporation.

Razak is an aviation enthusiast. He was a leading member of the House Committee on Aviation. His Masters Degree included International Air Law. He spearheaded the establishment of the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, which is a foremost aviation training institute in Nigeria. He supervised compliance with all the ICAO regulatory requirements for an Approved Training Organisation (ATO). He was the Alternate Chairman of IAC between 2008 and 2012. He later trained to become a pilot holding both an ICAO licence issued in Nigeria and an EASA licence issued in the United Kingdom. He covers regulatory compliance, advisory and litigation in the aviation field.

• Civil and Commercial Law
• Contractual and Business Disputes
• Arbitration: Domestic and International
• Aviation: Regulatory, Advisory and Litigation

Although open to attending other court centres, Razak receives instructions to act for individuals and companies in contractual matters in the High Court and Central London County Court. He also provides comprehensive advice in highly complex civil/commercial matters to assist parties in determining their best cause of action.

Razak is Public Access qualified and has the authorisation to conduct litigation.

Razak is a specialist in probate matters with in-depth knowledge of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules and an enviable advocacy experience of contentious probate proceedings including in appellate jurisdictions.

Razak provides expert advisory and representation services across all areas of commercial property law. He regularly advises on commercial leases, restrictive covenants and easements. He is frequently instructed on behalf of commercial entities and local authorities, delivering pragmatic and strategic guidance tailored to corporate operations and public sector requirements.

• Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
• Member of the Technology and Construction Bar (TECBAR)
• Adjudicator on the TECBAR Adjudication Panel

Mark v Mark [2005] UKHL 42 [House of Lords] {on Illegality of Stay, Domicile and Habitual Residence. This remains a landmark case and the leading authority on domicile in English law and perhaps the most frequently cited authority in the family courts on the topic in recent times.

AIC Ltd v Federal Government of Nigeria [2003] EWHC 1357 (QB) {on Sovereign Immunity and Civil Enforcement of Foreign Judgment}. This case is very frequently cited as authority in cases of recognition and enforcement of foreign judgment; procedure for service in enforcement of foreign judgment, and determination of "commercial purposes" of state accounts.

• Murphy Shipping v Burt [2004] All ER (D) 287
• {on Worldwide Freezing Injunction}

Attorney General of Zambia v Meer Care Desai, Chiluba and Others [2005] EWHC 2102 (Ch ) {on international confiscation of proceeds of money laundering (former President Chiluba of Zambia)}.

Recently won substantial damages for the Claimant in AUE Capital Management Ltd v Tetra Tech International Development BV (subject of non-disclosure agreement in the Chancery Division of the High Court) for breach of contract on a DfID international contract.