Utonwa Owumelu, Associate

Associate

About
Utonwa Lauretta Onwumelu is an Associate in the firm with a specialisation in Tax and dispute resolution. She has advised clients on several tax issues arising within the context of transactions and on a stand-alone basis. She advises on tax compliance issues, interpretation of tax statutes and structuring tax-efficient transactions, especially for multinationals, foreign investors and international entities looking to set up/reorganise businesses in Nigeria. She also represents clients in high-value tax disputes and audits at the tax appeal tribunal and Nigeria’s superior courts. She is currently a member of the team currently advising and representing a leading Nigerian entity at the Tax Appeal Tribunal on disputed income tax assessments exceeding NGN1 Billion.

Contact
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/utonwa-onwumelu-359384199/

Practice Groups
Tax
Dispute Resolution

Experience
Utonwa is a key member of the Firm’s Tax Team and has advised and represented both local and international Clients on several tax issues and disputes, including:

Advised the SPDC on the tax implications of the possible structure options that can be undertaken for the onshore gas incentive to be included as part of the divestment from SPDC, including a wide range of capital gains tax issues arising from the divestment.
advised a leading Nigeria Life Insurance Company on the scope and applicability of the special tax regime for Nigerian insurance companies under the Companies Income Tax Act vis-à-vis the general provisions of the Companies Income Tax Act.
advised a Nigerian entity on tax considerations relating to the sale of its shares and business assets in Nigeria in relation to its proposed acquisition of the interests in a Nigerian company.
Currently representing an umbrella association for employers in Nigeria and its member companies in a suit involving the extent, scope and applicability of the Sugar Tax imposed on carbonated, non-alcoholic, and sweetened beverages.
Currently representing two Nigerian subsidiaries of a global oil giant in court on tax claims by a state tax authority exceeding USD160 million regarding alleged shortfalls in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes remittances. and other tax remittances.
Representing a leading Insurance Company at the Tax Appeal Tribunal in respect of the additional companies income tax liability and withholding tax liability imposed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Representing a multinational entity on an appeal from the Tax Appeal Tribunal seeking to secure tax liability exemptions and reliefs under the double taxation treaties.
Advised the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation on the tax implications of the transfer of the business assets of the NNPC to NNPC Limited, following the transitioning of the NNPC.
Advised a Nigeria entity undergoing liquidation on its alleged failure to comply the Country-by-Country Reporting (CBCR) Notification and on sundry tax queries and audits imposed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Advised a leading Power and Transmission Company on the criminality of otherwise of the failure to comply with stamp taxes obligation.
successfully advised Daraju Industries Limited on the establishment of N10,000,000,000.00 (Ten Billion Naira) Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.
member of the team representing the Africa Finance Corporation on a lawsuit to secure its diplomatic privileges entitling it to full exemptions from lawsuits and tax liabilities.