HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF LEGAL SERVICES UNIT
The office of the University Legal Officer was established in the office of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from 1st August, 1983. The office was headed by Mr. J. K. Obasa and has since been upgraded into a Directorate Unit with effect from 14th January 1994. Mr. J. K. Obasa became the Director of the Unit, and has since retired to 2006.
The office was established primarily to advise and guide Administration, Council, Senate and other organs of the University on legal matters and also to coordinate all court litigations involving the University and its agents. Mr. I.A. Oyeyemi acted as the Director for some years before he retired from the service of the University.
The Unit is presently headed by
Mr. Dare Akanbi.
The Legal Unit has impacted positively in the University’s administration and growth and some of its impact include the following:
(a) Coordination of all litigations handled by external Solicitors for and on behalf of the University from The lowest courts to the Supreme Court of Nigeria;
(b) Negotiation, compensation and acquisition of the permanent site of the University;
(c) Guiding the University Administration, Council, Senate and other organs of the University on most legal matters;
(d) Preparation and vetting of legal documents;
(e) Preparation of Statutes for the smooth running of the University;
(f) Revision of the University of Ilorin Decree/Act for Federal Government action;
(g) Revision of the Rules and Regulations Governing Conditions of Service for both Senior and Junior Staff of the University;
(h) Guiding the University Administration on disciplinary proceedings against staff and students;
(i) Registration and patent of scientific discoveries by staff of the University;
(j) Conducting preliminary investigations into numerous criminal cases on the campuses;
(k) Conducting preliminary investigations into numerous cases of misdemeanor, misconduct and anti-social acts on the campuses;
(l) Liaison with law enforcement agents such as the Police, State Security Services and Judiciary;
(m) Administration of oaths to staff and students bodies and associations;
(n) Taking custody of vital documents deposited by housing loans beneficiaries such as Certificate & Right of Occupancy and building plan.
(o) Performing sundry administrative and quasi-judicial duties, including negotiating settlement of some cases out of court.
Presently, the cases against the University have reduced considerably, reason been that there has been good consultation amongst officers of the University and due process is been observed. There are few cases pending against the university from the lowest court to the highest, i.e the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERSPerson in charge
Barrister Dare Akanbi
