Legal Services Unit

The Unit is generally responsible for providing all legal support services to the Ministry. The Unit is headed by a Legal Adviser and a complement of staff.

Functions
The functions of the Legal Unit are as follows:

1. Rendering appropriate legal advice on all matters assigned to the Legal Services Unit to ensure that all actions under-taken by the Ministry conform with the 1999 Constitution, the Law and the general principles of the rule of Law;
2. Acting as liaison between the Ministry and Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice;
3. Representing the Ministry on all matters in which it is a Party before various Courts, Tribunal or Panels;
4. Drafting and reviewing all legal documents, including but not limited to contract agreements, tenancy agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, letters etc. on all matters arising between the Ministry and contractors, consultants, oil companies, State Governments and other stakeholders in the course of implementing the Ministry’s mandate.
5. Liaising between the Ministry and external Lawyers on all legal related matters including arbitration, mediation, settlement of claims, petitions and compliants etc;
6. Dealing and liaising with State liaison offices of the Ministry and other departments of the Ministry on all legal matters.
7. Undertaking missions for consultation on behalf of the Ministry with outside bodies, international organizations or governmental authorities as may be directed from time to time.
8. Prosecuting all breaches bordering on the mandate of the Ministry; and
9. Performing such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Honourable Minister or the Permanent Secretary, from time to time.

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