Team
The Trustees
Meet the Minds Driving the Advancement of Aviation and Aerospace Law in Nigeria
Behind our vision is a dedicated team of professionals, academics, and legal experts united by a shared commitment to excellence in aviation and space law. Each member brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion.
Working collaboratively to promote awareness, research, and capacity building within the industry. Together, we embody the values of integrity, innovation, and professionalism that define our organization.
Expertise Across Sectors
Lawyers, policymakers, and aviation specialists working hand in hand
Commitment to Education
Mentorship, training, and research support for future professionals.
Collaborative Leadership
A team united by shared goals and collective vision.
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SYLVESTER E. ELEMA SAN, FCArb
Legal Practitioner
Sylvester E. Elema SAN, FCArb attended the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus from 1980 to 1984 and graduated with a law degree (LL.B. Hons) in 1984. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.
He did his National Youth Service in a law firm in Kano in 1986. Two years thereafter he went into private legal practice which started in Kano in 1988 but is now located in Lagos with branch offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
S.E. Elema SAN, FCArb was elevated to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2017 and in 2018, he became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.
There is presently a dearth of knowledge of Aviation Law, Rules and Regulations in Nigeria. The aim of the Aviation and Aerospace Law Society of Nigeria (ALSON) is to bridge this yawning gap by enlightening the general public about the basic things they need to be known about their rights and obligations under aviation law. This campaign will also be extended to the legal community and academia in Nigeria.
DR. (MRS) ANASTASIA AVER GBEM
LL.M McGiLL, D.Sc, FCArb, FNIM, FCILG, FCIPDM, FECRMI, SFECOA, FICAN
Dr. (Mrs.) Anastasia Aver Gbem is a pioneering Nigerian aviation and space law expert, with over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. Born in Gboko, Benue State, she holds an LL.B (Hons) from Ahmadu Bello University and an LL.M in Aviation and Space Law from McGill University, Montreal Canada, becoming the first female Nigerian to specialize in this field.
Her distinguished career spans legal, regulatory, and administrative roles in various Nigerian aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), among others, where she is currently the Director, Human Resources and Administration.
Dr. Gbem played a pivotal role in drafting foundational legislation for the NCAA and NAMA, modernizing aviation laws, and contributing to international aviation treaties. Her expertise was integral in Nigeria achieving the U.S. FAA Category One Certification, and the establishment of the NCAA. she has led numerous legal and regulatory initiatives that strengthened Nigeria’s civil aviation framework.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, she holds several professional certificates and fellowships from renowned prestigious organizations, including the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, Chartered Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance as well as the chartered Institute of Administrator.
Dr. Gbem is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, and has served as the Vice Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Aviation Law Committee, the president of Zonta International Club of Lagos and the president of Ikeja Viva L’Amour Lions club.
A mentor and respected personality in aviation industry and an aviation hall of famer, she is also a member of the International Aviation Women’s Association and the Board of Trustees of the African Women Lawyers Association.
Dr. Gbem is married with children and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the aviation sector and nation building.
BARR. MARY TUFANO-ECHE
Barrister Mary Tufano-Eche earned her LL.B From the University of Maiduguri, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, and shortly thereafter embarked on a five-year stint in private practice. Determined to deepen her expertise, she attained an LL.M in Law from the University of Jos in 1998, setting the stage for a distinguished career at the intersection of law and aviation.
Complementing her legal credentials, Barr. Tufano-Eche pursued specialized aviation qualifications, obtaining Diploma in Air Law (IATA), Diploma in Civil Aviation Management (IATA), Certificate in International Air Law (ICAO) and trained ICAO Instructor, ICAO USOAP CMA CBT training, Resolution of safety concern training, legislative drafting and recently a certificate in Aviation Safety Management System from the University of Southern California.
Barr. Mary’s career in Public Service began in 1994 when she was employed as a Senior Legal Officer with the Nigerian Film Corporation in Jos, Plateau State. Her career in aviation began 24 years ago when she joined the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an Assistant Chief Legal Officer, and through dedication rose to the position of General Manager.
Within the given period in 2011 precisely, she was recruited by ICAO and seconded to BAGASOO as a Regional Legal Adviser, a position she held on a national interest assignment until 2023, when she was appointed Director Legal Services/ Company Secretary by the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. In this role she provides strategic legal counsel, ensuring Nigeria’s aviation sector aligns with global best practices.
Barr. Tufano-Eche has represented Nigeria in numerous Bilateral and Multilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) and high-level ICAO, AFCAC, and BAGASOO committees. While in BAGASOO, Barr. Mary participated in various assistance missions embarked on by the organization where she assisted member States in drafting civil aviation legislation.
Team member for drafting the BGASOO policy on harmonization.
Team member for the review of ICAO Document 9734B etc.
Successfully coordinated the recently concluded BAG Plenary.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Nigerian Bar Association,
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), ICAO Legal Committee, Women in Aviation Nigeria & International,
AFCAC Legal Experts Working Group; and Chair, BAG Committee of Legal Experts
She is a Fellow of OSHA UK and holds mediation credentials from the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (UK).
She is married with children, Barr. Mary Tufano-Eche juggles her family responsibilities with the demands of high-stakes legal work.
ISEMIUHONMON RITA EGBADON (MRS.)
LL.M, ICAO Certified AVSEC Instructor, AVSEC PM. SENIOR FELLOWSHIP AT INSTITUTE OF SECURITY, NIGERIA (SFISN)
MRS. RITA (as she is popularly called) is currently the Director of Legal Services/Company Secretary at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency with headquarters at Abuja. She once doubled as Deputy General Manager (equivalent of a Deputy Director) at the department of Aviation security and also as an Assistant COORDINATOR of the ICAO Aviation security training Centre (ASTC), Lagos of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Headquarters annex in Lagos.
She practiced law in legal firms before joining public service in 2001 at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as a Senior Legal officer in the capacity of Head of Legal at the MMIA regional office. She was the pioneer HOD- Legal of the regional office of NCAA then.
Mrs RITA’s interest in the Aviation industry led her to move to AVSEC Department in FAAN in 2007 when the legal offices in NCAA went extinct in 2005. While at the Aviation security department, she had the opportunity to work at various capacities as a screener of persons, cargoes, baggage and crew. Better part of her experiences were in the areas of crime investigation and instructional capacity at the crime investigation and intelligence unit of AVSEC department at MMIA. She single handily introduced the zoom system of briefing participants or applicants for Airport permit cards during the Covid 19 period. She has investigated sensitive Aviation security cases or breaches, incidents, accidents and offenses.
She was trained at the University of Lagos where she obtained her master’s degree in Law. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Mrs Rita holds the highest certificate in Aviation Security management today from the Concordia University, Montréal Canada, AVSEC PM. She is an ICAO short-term-expert (STÉ) in Aviation Security. This implies that Mrs Rita is in the pull of ICAO AVSEC Instructors who can be assigned to any country in the world to instruct/ facilitate Trainings on behalf of ICAO.
She has been a short term expert to ICAO since 2012, she just got recertification for the next five years till 2028. She has instructed on several AVSEC core courses like; Risk management workshop, cargo security course, AVSEC Management course, AVSEC Supervisors course Security Awareness trainings, Basic AVSEC courses, etc. She has participated in key projects in developing Training program and curriculum for Aviation security stakeholders and the FAAN National AVSEC Training Centre. She has attended several AVSEC trainings both in Nigeria and outside the country.
Mrs Rita has instructed as STÉ in several countries Sierra Leone, Kenya, Canada, and Nigeria. Mrs Rita has been conferred with merit awards of Best female AVSEC staff in MMIA 2016, best contributing staff to AVSEC Career prospects 2018, most resourceful AVSEC staff Middle management 2012 and other appreciative accolades.
She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association, (IBA), Women in Aviation international (WAI), MNIM, International platform of AVSEC PM, and founding member of AVSEC FORUM in MMIA FAAN.
She is married with children.
FESTUS UKPE, ESQ. LL.B, BL
FESTUS UKPE started his journey in legal practice at the University of Benin where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws in 2008. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was thereafter admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2010.
He started his legal career as an associate at Olumide Ayeni & Company. In 2015, he joined the law firm of Festus Keyamo Chambers where he has risen through the ranks and now heads the Abuja office of the firm.
His specialized practice areas include corporate and commercial law through which he has advised and pioneered the establishment of multiple multi-national companies as well as advised on the restructuring of several institutions. He is also an expert in alternative dispute resolution. He led a team that brokered an arbitral settlement in a multi-million dollar dispute between a military contractor and the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as a contractual dispute between a global automobile manufacturer and a Nigerian sports federation.
He sits on the Board of several multi-national organizations providing valuable legal advisory services. He was recently appointed as Secretary to the board of a global educational foundation operating educational institutions across sub-Saharan Africa.
He is also a child’s rights advocate advising state and non-state actors with respect to custodial disputes involving endangered children and providing litigatory and non-litigatory solutions for clients on issues bordering on custody and welfare of children.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the African Bar Association and the International Bar Association, (IBA),
He is married with children.
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