Legal Unit

The mandates of the Legal Unit are as follows;

1. Proffer Legal Advice to the Ministry and its Agencies on policy issues affecting the Ministry, its relationship with stakeholders, provide legal support to the Minister, Permanent Secretary, and Departments on questions of law arising in the course of conduct of Government activities and interpret existing laws;
2. Defend the interests of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Federal and State High Courts, the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria;
3. Prepare and vet legal instruments such as contract agreements and Powers of Attorney; carry out searches, investigations and perfection of title deeds;
4. Liaise with regulatory authorities on legal issues concerning the Ministry;
5. Draft, review and interpret contracts, memoranda of understanding, licenses, leases and other legal instruments to be entered into by the Ministry and represent the Ministry at technical negotiations with its stakeholders and affiliates;
6. Prepare memoranda of understanding and bilateral agreements on regional and international relationships and provide comprehensive legal assistance for the management of multilateral and bilateral cooperation agreements, including development aid and technical assistance programs within the sector;
7. Review Bills, and/or propose legislations in furtherance of Federal Government Policies on the Ministry’s mandate and liaise with the National Assembly in this regard;
8. Attend public hearings at the National Assembly;
9. Negotiating favourable terms of settlement in cases where alternative methods of dispute resolution have been sought;
10. Ad hoc duties;
11. Member of Senior Management Team; and
12. Member of Ministerial Tenders’ Board.