Evolving Global Investigations Landscape: Risk Management and Response Strategies for International Businesses in Africa

Francisca Igboanugo is a legal and compliance professional, currently serving as the Team Lead of the Corporate Services and Data Protection Practice at Stren & Blan Partners.

With extensive experience advising multinationals and local clients, her expertise spans across corporate governance, regulatory support, data protection and compliance advisory. She is well known for her proactive stance toward risk management and her ability to translate legal requirements into actionable strategies for clients operating in high-risk sectors.

With her wealth of expertise and dedication, Francisca continues to provide exceptional legal services and transactional support to a diverse range of clients.

Omobolaji Bello is a Senior Associate with the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Department.

His practice focuses on Debt Recovery, Insolvency, Asset Recovery, White Collar Crime and Government Investigations, Crisis Management as well as general Commercial Litigation.

Throughout his career, Omobolaji has represented a diverse range of clients including HNIs, foremost Commercial Banks, Startups, Asset managers, in varying legal matters including foreign judgment enforcement, cross-border debt recovery, and general commercial disputes.

Steven is Head of ENS’ Forensics practice. He is a renowned specialist white-collar crime prosecutor and forensics lawyer. Steven specialises in leading forensic investigations that result in successful disciplinary and criminal proceedings against offenders, as well as the recovery of losses in both civil and criminal matters.

Steven’s experience also includes antifraud and corruption matters and assisting clients to meet the anti-corruption compliance requirements in the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, as well as the South African Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. Steven also assists clients with anti-fraud and anti-bribery due diligence and compliance programmes, and with preventing fraud through the development and implementation of policies and strategies and specialized in-house training and educational programmes.

Steven received the Rick Brady "Financial Crime Investigator of the Year” award from the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) in Washington DC in August 2022. He is the first person in Africa to be given this honour.

Bora Rawcliffe represents companies and individuals around the world in government-facing and internal investigations, corporate compliance matters and transaction due diligence related to corruption and financial crimes.

Ms. Rawcliffe frequently advises clients on cross-border investigations and interactions with regulators across a variety of sectors. The investigations she works on involve allegations of corrupt practices, money laundering, violations of economic sanctions laws, accounting and financial irregularities, improper business practices and whistleblower reports, as well as general allegations of misconduct. She represents clients in government-facing investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (which enforces U.S. sanctions) and various financial regulators.

In addition, she regularly works with global corporations and financial institutions to review and update compliance programs, and to investigate and remediate compliance issues. This includes conducting risk assessments and gap analyses, drafting policies and procedures, conducting employee and third-party compliance training, and counseling on internal controls to identify and prevent potential violations of anti corruption laws, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act.

Moderating this session is Oghenemega Igbru.

Oghenemega is an Associate in the Corporate Services and Data Protection Practice Area at Stren & Blan Partners. She advises local and multinational clients on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and sector-specific approvals across various industries.

With a strong foundation in corporate advisory and risk management, she has experience supporting clients in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, drafting governance instruments, and advising on directors’ duties and stakeholder responsibilities. Her work reflects a keen understanding of the intersection between business operations and legal compliance, particularly in high-growth and regulated sectors.

With her level of experience, she brings a clear, solutions-driven perspective to discussions on legal and regulatory risk, especially in the context of Africa’s evolving business and compliance environment.