Research Students | School of Law | The University of Aberdeen

Research Students

Mr Patrick Achor

Patrick’s research comparatively examines the legal framework for Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) regulation of the Renewable Energy sector in developing countries with a focus on Nigeria. His research is informed by the need for developing countries to effectively develop robust legal and regulatory frameworks to effectively manage the HSE risks associated with Renewable Energy. This is because, as an increasing number of developing countries turn to renewable energy to cure their energy poverty and achieve energy security, an effective regulatory framework will ensure that the HSE failures recorded in the non-renewable energy sectors are avoided.

Ms Ahad Abdullah Al yahyai

Ahad’s PhD project is on the mechanism of achieving fiscal stabilisation in oil and gas contracts. She analyses petroleum contracts, in particular the fiscal clauses and fiscal stability clauses of these contracts in order to explore the best provisions, practices and mechanisms that maintain the fiscal stabilisation of the contracts between the state and the contractor during the entire life of the contract. The research aims to take a comparative approach with a focus on Oman. Ahad holds a B.A in Law (Sultan Qaboos University), and an LLM (University of East Anglia).

Ms Soibi Bob-Manuel

Soibi’s thesis employs a socio-legal method to investigate and proffer optimal pathways for encouraging and promoting effective transfer of climate change technologies to developing countries, with a focus on China and Nigeria. Soibi aims to explore the nexus between social development, protection of intellectual property rights and global response to climate change. Before commencing her PhD, Soibi completed an LL.M in Oil and Gas Law (with Distinction) from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Soibi also practiced law in Nigeria, and her practice areas included corporate commercial, oil and gas law, intellectual property, energy and natural resources, and regulatory compliance

Ms Alina Holzhausen

Alina’s research interests lie in public international law, international environmental law and human rights law. Her current PhD project focuses on climate change litigation and human rights. This research examines human rights-based climate change cases and resulting effects on a human rights approach to climate change. Alina graduated from the University of Bayreuth with a German diploma in law and holds a Maîtrise in International Law (University of Bordeaux) and an LLM in International Law and International Relations (University of Aberdeen). She has practised law at the German Parliament before coming to Aberdeen in 2019 and has been teaching Constitutional Law in Bayreuth and EU Law in Aberdeen.

Ms Ibiere Helen Jumbo

Ibiere’s current research interests centre around the effectiveness of regional instruments in catalysing renewable energy development at the national level, focusing on the ECOWAS how it compels renewable electricity development in member states. Her research is funded by the Nigerian Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). Ibiere completed her LLM in Energy and Environmental Law at the University of Aberdeen in 2018. She further holds an LLB (Hons) in law from the University of Nigeria in 2014, and she is licenced to practice law in Nigeria. Ibiere also has an interest and working experience in commercial law and regulatory compliance.

Mr Ilias Kazeem

Ilias’ research focuses on international arbitration of energy and natural resources disputes, especially in the context of public participation, social licence to operate and international investment law. He obtained an LLB from University of Ilorin, Nigeria, in 2013 and he was subsequently called to the Nigeria Bar in 2014. He has practised in Nigeria, in the areas of litigation, commercial arbitration and commercial law, for a number of years. Ilias concluded his study for an LLM in Energy and Environmental Law, at the University of Aberdeen, on a scholarship awarded by the School of Law. He has been admitted for PhD, on a merit scholarship also awarded by the School of Law, University of Aberdeen. He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, Nigerian branch.

Ms Alanoud Khalid Albargan

Alanoud’s current research focuses on critically investigating and appraising the robustness corporate governance legal reform of Saudi Arabia National Oil Company within the Saudi Vision 2030 and Saudi Aramco IPO 2030 case study. Alanoud’s research focuses on improving and raising the level of Corporate governance for National oil Company to attain the contemporary and best global corporate governance legal standards and practices. Alanoud holds LLB (King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 2012) and LLM in International Corporate Finance Law (University of Reading, 2015). Alanoud is a Lecturer in Commercial Law in University of Taibah, Saudi Arabia.

Bashman Mohammed

Bashman Mohammed is undertaking doctoral research within the framework of worker participation in corporate governance at the University of Aberdeen. He is also a Senior Program Officer with American Center for International Labor Solidarity. He holds a Master of Laws with a Merit from the University of London, United Kingdom and attended the Nigerian Law School and the University of Ilorin where he graduated with Second Class Upper Division respectively. Bashman enjoys memberships of professional bodies and progressive associations spans from Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), International Lawyers Association Assisting Workers (ILAW), to the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA). Bashman’s research and professional interest lies at the intersection of corporate governance and labour law, labour issues in energy transition and climate justice, and labour rights and due diligence in transnational corporations.

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Mr Solomon Nwaulikpe Obulor

Solomon’s PhD in on ‘Benefit-Sharing in Relation to Sustainable Oil and Gas Development in Nigeria’. His research examines the prospects and challenges of introducing Impact and Benefit Agreements into the Nigerian Oil and Gas regulatory regime drawing lessons from the Australian Native Title Act regime as a two-way mechanism: first to mitigate natural resource curse in the Niger Delta and Nigeria generally and secondly, for multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to obtain and sustain their social license to operate in the delta.

Mr Etta Ojong-Okongor

Etta holds an LLM in Energy and Environmental Law (with distinction) from the Law School in 2017 and a Bachelor of Laws from Madonna University, Nigeria, in 2010. Etta is qualified to practice as a barrister and solicitor in Nigeria. His research focuses on water rights and economic access to water under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification through public international law. His research also explores the use of emerging energy technologies and the use of water capture technologies to boost water availability and access in affected areas in Africa and developing countries in other parts of the world. His research interests are in the areas of Public International Law, Environmental Damage, Water Right & Access, Human Rights to Water, Emerging Energy Technologies and Desalination & Water Capture Technologies.

Mr Azubuike Ozah

Azubuike’s PhD project is on the regulatory aspects of decommissioning of offshore oil and gas facilities with a focus on offshore pipelines and wells in the Gulf of Guinea. He holds an LLB Hons (Niger Delta University), and an LLM in Oil & Gas Law with Distinction (Robert Gordon University). He is called to the Nigerian Bar to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is a member of the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL) and the Editor-in-Chief of the Aberdeen Student Law Review (ASLR Vol 10).

Mr Leonard Sebucensha

Leonard Sebucensha holds a LLM in Business Law Degree , a LLB Degree from the National University of Rwanda and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development. Leonard received a University of Aberdeen School of Law PhD Merit Scholarship for his PhD Project in Energy Transition Law. His PhD research and study focuses on the legal and institutional framework of energy sector decarbonisation in the East African Community with a particular emphasis on contextualisation of energy transition as a specific feature of energy and climate change law, the underlying strategies to implement the international legal instruments for the climate change in the EAC, establishment of mechanisms for reducing energy sector greenhouse gas emissions in a legal framework and the impact of stabilisation clauses on the efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. His research interests are in energy law, climate change law, environmental law, investment law, corporate law, intellectual property and financial law.