BRIEF ON THE DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL SERVICES
INTRODUCTION
The Directorate of Legal Services was established by Section 5 (1) (d) (Second Schedule) of the Nigerian Army University Biu (Establishment) Act 2020 among the list of Directorate from the inception of the University to cater for the legal needs of the University. The Directorate is responsible for providing legal advice to the University and attending to all legal issues affecting the University, its clients and business partners. The Directorate is also responsible for obtaining updates from external solicitors of the University on matter(s) they are representing the University on.
STAFF
The Directorate is currently having a strength of two lawyers i.e. Major Ighodaro David Ogbeide (Military Officer – (Ag. Director) – away on official assignment) and One Senior Legal officer
i.e. Abdulraqib Salihu Mohammaed. The working of the Directorate is assisted by two Administrative Officers.
LOCATION
As at the moment, the Directorate functions at portal Cabin NAUB Temporary Site of the University.
DUTIES OF THE DIRECTORATE
Generally, the Directorate takes charge of all in-house legal problems of the University. The specific duties of the Directorate include amongst others:
- Drafting and review of all legal instruments to be executed between the University on the one hand, its employees, its contractors and other legal entities on the other hand.
- Documentation of MOU’s and other related instruments executed with the University for Local, national and international co-operative understanding and collaboration on academic and non-academic matters.
- Reviewing/renewing MOU’s and Lease Documents and or Instruments where appropriate to be in consonance with the prevailing Laws of the Land.
- Documentation of leases and tenancies of the University for effective income generation to the University;
- Preparation of legal advice for the day to day engagement of the
- Membership/Secretary-ship of University Standing and Ad-hoc Committees,
- Incorporation and Secretary-ship of University owned
- Taking charge of all legal matters in the University and or in liaison with the University External Solicitors.
- Generation of fund internally from payments to be made for drafting of instruments, leases and certification of University documents.
- Managing disputes and claims against the University, or managing claims brought by the
- Managing the registration, use and protection of the University’s
- Reviewing and advising on legal aspects of communications, including advertising, marketing, website and announcements.
- Ensuring the application of rules and regulations of the University on all categories of persons in the University.
- any other functions that may be assigned to the Directorate by the University Management or any of its arm
DIRECTORATE MEMBERSHIP OF UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
- Tenders Board – Ongoing.
- Technical Tender Board – Ongoing.
- Management Tenders Board – Ongoing.
- Staff Disciplinary Committee (Senior and Junior) – Ongoing
- Examination and Related Misconduct Committee – Ongoing
- Editorial Board – Yet Inaugurated
- University Housing Committee – Yet Inaugurated
- Asset Disposal committee – Yet inaugurated
- University Community Relations Committee – Yet Inaugurated
- Security Management Committee – Yet Inaugurated
- Condition of Service Review Committee – Yet Inaugurated
- Student hand Book Review Committee – Yet Inaugurated
- Committee to harmonize the drafted copy ofcondition and scheme of service – Yet Inaugurated.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Since inception, the Directorates has ensured prompt drafting of memorandums of understanding between the University and several corporate bodies, agreements and contracts entered into by the University. The Directorate has also dedicated itself towards ensuring that the University is adequately represented in all pending litigations and discussions with corporate bodies and individuals. The Directorate has ensured prompt monitoring and compliance to all existing legal obligation existing between the Institution and persons (private and corporate) for preservation of the peaceful coexistence and promotion of synergy between the institution, host community and beyond.
LEADERSHIP
The Directorate was at the inception of the University a Unit under the Registry Department and was then headed by Abubakar Sadiq Esq. (Legal Officer) and upon conversion to Directorate military officers (Lawyers) were posted by the Nigerian Army Directorate of Legal Services in both Substantive and Acting. Col. AA Audu Esq was the first Director posted to the Directorate and upon posting out Lt. CL Ozoifeakpagh (now Captain) was posted in, in an acting capacity. At the moment, the Ag. Director has been away for official duty and Abdulraqib Salihu Mohammed Esq (Senior Legal Officer) is acting in his stead since March, 2026.
From the records obtained in the files of the Directorate, the erstwhile Director (Col. AA Audu Esq) has made efforts and drafts in efforts to divide the responsibilities of the directorate as shown in the organogram attached hereto.
ABDULRAQIB SALIHU MOHAMMED ESQ
Senior Legal Officer For Ag. DLS
ORGANOGRAM OF THE DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL SERVICES NIGERIAN ARMY UNIVERSITY BIU
