Advocate of the Cameroon BarBarrister & Solicitor of the Nigerian Supreme Court

I was requested to spearhead the Compliance function again in light of the reinforcement of banking regulations, increased regulatory oversight and threat of sanctions risk. This entailed designing/implementing the compliance strategy of the bank to ensure the bank achieves regulatory compliance, avoiding fines, penalties and/or reputational risk. I led a team of four direct reports with matrixed responsibility for 15 Customer Services Managers.Notable Accomplishments:• Successfully secured the regulators’ approval for the implementation of the bank’s new payment services• Significantly enhanced the team’s compliance levels by designing/delivering training, improving their understanding of “why” certain processes had to be completed and the subsequent impact to the bank • Notably, selected as designated Compliance Team Lead for Central African affiliates of Ecobank Group, improving compliance efficiencies across the region including utilising Cameroon’s documentation for payment services and compliance control plans for other Central African Ecobank subsidiaries• Designed/implemented a new Compliance Control Matrix to track the bank’s compliance with new exchange control regulations, successfully avoiding income erosion through potential fines and sanctions; subsequently, standardised reports could now be provided to the Managing Director, highlighting gaps and risks for remediation

As General Counsel I was tasked with ensuring the bank remained secure in its transactions with partners and clients. This entailed drafting/reviewing contracts, providing legal opinions, facilitating debt recovery activities and debtors workout sessions. I led a team of five with three direct reports and managed a team of external Counsel. As Company Secretary I provided efficient administration of the bank, organising Board meetings and providing general legal and governance advice to the Board.Notable Accomplishments:• Successfully streamlined and improved the selection of external legal and consultancy teams, significantly improving delivery levels by anchoring performance evaluations on actual results yield• Notably, protected the Bank from any litigation due to the i) intensity of the scrutiny implemented across all contracts ii) periodic reviews of credit-line models and banking terms of service• Reduced the turn-around time for transactions by ensuring early-involvement in any transaction queries and integrating these queries into the credit analysis process, yielding significant competitive advantage

I was initially appointed to lead the implementation of the Bank’s compliance programme, leveraging local subject-matter expertise to implement the compliance charter and update compliance policies, thus avoiding regulatory risks, fines and penalties. Furthermore, I led a team of ~30 people across various departments of the bank, including Interns.Notable Accomplishments:• Stand out accomplishments include i) no incident of AML violations ii) several ML attempts were thwarted, and the security of the bank was preserved iii) no sanctions for product violations were noted • Successfully drafted memos for management approval in derogation of the applicable policy, receiving no rejections• Designed/implemented the bank’s conflict of interest, gift and incentive policies, with regular annual reviews• Noted for creating the bank’s first methodology for PEP identification and PEP repository including the timing and methods of its updates

As General Counsel, I established the department from scratch, overseeing the automation of transaction monitoring, drafting contracts, providing legal advice, facilitating debt recovery, leading a team of two direct reports. Furthermore, I acted as the Group Compliance Resource, providing contextual perspective regarding legal and regulatory compliance for the CEMAC region.Notable Accomplishments:• Successfully established the legal and compliance function for the bank and adapted the processes to local requirements• Played an integral role in the validation of Credit Approval Memoranda and reviewed all lending documentation to ensure the bank had the best available protection• Led the legal aspects for the incorporation of the UBA Group subsidiaries in Chad, Gabon and Republic of Congo including the vetting of their statutory instruments

Law practice in one of the top law firms in the country.

Law practice in one of the top law firms in the country.