‘Only Dynamic, Forward Looking Practitioners, can Succeed in Law’
Paul Onoriode Emerhana, ACIArb, ACFE
Please, give a brief introduction of yourself
My name is Paul Onoriode Emerhana, ACIArb, ACFE. I am from Delta State. I attended Immaculate Conception College (ICC), Benin City, Edo State. I am a graduate of law, from the Delta State University, Oleh Campus. I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. I worked briefly at the law offices of Adetokunbo Kayode & Co. (SAN). I joined Skye Bank Plc in 2008 as a Business Development Officer (Retail) and subsequently, as a Regional Legal Officer, South-South. In 2012, I joined the Directorate of Legal Services, Niger Delta Development Commission. I am a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, Associate Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Texas, United States of America, and a Member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA.
My concentration is in Secured Credit, Project and Infrastructure Finance, Development Law, and Negotiation. I am happily married with children .
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?
I joined Skye Bank Plc first as a Youth Corps member on secondment from the Office of the Honourable Attorney- General of Rivers State. After my Service year, I was retained by Skye Bank Plc, after emerging as the overall best student of the conversion exam for NYSC members who served at the bank. So, the first challenge was dropping the cherished wig and gown from practice at Adetokunbo Kayode & Co. (SAN), and delving into the corporate world of banking and public service.
Another challenge was the transitioning from a highly regulated banking sector, into an entirely opposite public service. It was really difficult coping with the new style of getting things done in the public service, unlike the banking sector where things are done faster and automated.
What would you refer to, as your worst day as a Lawyer?
I never really had a bad day, that I can pinpoint. As a new wig in the Legal Department of a bank with issues of litigation, credit reviews, contingent liabilities, mortgages and perfections, and other regulatory compliance issues, there was little or no room for mistakes, as any such mistake would either be a violation of statutory requirements, or exposes the bank to risks. Every day was tasking.
So far, what is your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?
My most memorable experience, was when I was redeployed by Skye Bank Plc as a very junior officer to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to go and set up a new Legal and APG Desk for the South-South Region 2, covering Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. It was a great experience.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My father and my mother (now of blessed memory), have been the most influential people in my life. We had a very humble beginning, and they taught us the virtue of love for your neighbour, love for God, and remaining focused on set targets. My wife, Anita, is one person who has enormous influence on me. She plays the motherly role so perfectly, now that my mother has passed on. My Director, Mr. Kaltungo Moljengo, is another great influence. He has been able to demystify the mystery, myths and monstrosities of leadership. He is a father, in word and in deed.
Why did you become a Lawyer? My father exposed me early, to reading great interviews and news headlines during the late Gen. Sani Abacha days. He was an Administrative Staff, at the defunct NEPA.
I was able to read interviews of the late Chief Gani Fawhehinmi, SAN, and late Chief Bola Ige, SAN, Dr Olisa Agbakogba, SAN, then Archbishop Olubunmi Anthony Okojie and Bishop Gbonigi, and the like. The Nigerian Bar Association then, was very strong, and was a frontline critic of the Abacha junta. My father would always photocopy Tell Magazine, Newswatch Magazine, Guardian and Vanguard Newspapers, from his office. He would also often compel us to read up the interviews, editorials and the news headlines. It was boring at the beginning, but, with time, it became something we looked forward to, and this was the epicentre of my wanting to be a Lawyer. My Uncle, Deacon Patrick Emerhana, played a big role in aiding me to appreciate the possibilities of becoming a Lawyer, when we had a chat in December, 1998. My decision to read law can be said to be a product of many factors, but chiefly, to address challenges of our time.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?
The legal profession is dynamic, and only dynamic and forward looking practitioners, can succeed in it.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?
Honestly, I would probably have become a Catholic Priest.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? By the grace of God, the future is very bright and promising, and I will continue to prepare myself, because I have too many opportunities and options open to me; so, we’ll see how it pans out!