L-R, Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Principal, Pinheiro LP; Mr Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, Partner, Pinheiro LP; Mr Mike Igbokwe, SAN, President, Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association; Mr Emeka Anyaeji, Gen. Counsel Quantum Zenith Group; Prof Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Senior Partner at KENNA; C. O. Toyin Pinheiro, SAN, Principal, Toyin Pinheiro & Co.; Ms Chiamaka Anakua, Associate, KENNA; and Mr Damilola Raji, Senior Associate, KENNA.
The 2025 KENNA Litigation Forum, held on November 25, 2025, in Lagos, brought together leading practitioners and corporate executives to examine the theme “Shifting from Dispute Resolution to Dispute Prevention and Management.” The Forum featured the presentation of “Preliminary Objections in Litigation,” the latest work by Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN, Senior Partner at KENNA.
Opening the Forum, Professor Ajogwu emphasised the growing importance of dispute prevention in modern legal practice. He noted, “disputes will always arise; however, when resources are invested in preventing and managing them, this becomes far more cost-effective for any business.”
The panel session, moderated by Ms Chiamaka Anakua, Associate at KENNA, explored practical strategies for identifying and managing disputes before escalation. The Forum featured discussions from Mr Mike Igbokwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association; Mr Emeka Anyaeji, Group General Counsel/Company Secretary of Quantum Zenith Group; and Mr Damilola Raji, Senior Associate at KENNA.
The keynote was delivered by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, who emphasised the importance of foresight and procedural discipline in reducing avoidable litigation and conserving judicial resources. He noted that effective collaboration between in-house and external counsel remains essential for achieving these goals and commended Prof. Ajogwu for his contribution to strengthening legal practice.
Mr Igbokwe, SAN, called for a shift from an adversarial, winner-takes-all system to collaborative approaches that preserve business relationships. He noted that clients nowadays prioritise efficiency and cost savings. Mr Anyaeji outlined practical risk management strategies, including clearer contract drafting and proactive stakeholder engagement. “Dispute prevention is more efficient than waiting for conflicts to arise,” he noted, and he further commended Prof. Ajogwu’s contribution to both client service and industry growth.
Mr Raji highlighted innovative approaches, such as pre-mortem analysis and the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), that help identify contractual pressure points and support the transition from dispute resolution to dispute prevention and management.
Following the panel session, further perspectives were shared. C.O. Toyin Pinheiro, SAN, of Toyin Pinheiro & Co., lauded the timeliness of the Forum and noted that the theme is of significant benefit to in-house counsel. He highlighted the ongoing challenges in case management and the need for early dispute control. Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN of Pinheiro LP, also emphasised that many corporate disputes are preventable and that significant financial losses occur when early intervention tools are not utilised.
The Forum concluded with the formal unveiling of “Preliminary Objections in Litigation.” In the Foreword, Prof. Fidelis Oditah KC, SAN, described the book as “a significant contribution to legal jurisprudence and the practice of law,” noting its clarity, practical relevance, and forward-looking treatment of the subject of preliminary objections. The book publishers, CLDS Publishing ([email protected]; +2348150620054), were in attendance at the Kenna Litigation Forum.
