OAU Legal Unit Questions Validity of Pre-Action Notice Over Lawyer’s Expired NBA Seal
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Legal Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has formally responded to a pre-action notice issued against the institution by a law firm, E.K. Nnadi & Co, over alleged irregularities in the University’s Post-UTME process. The response, dated 4th October 2025, was signed by Yinka Ayantola, Esq., Director of Legal Services, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
OAU Flags Outdated Legal Seal
According to the letter, addressed to Hon. Kene Nnadi of E.K. Nnadi & Co., OAU’s Legal Unit observed that the seal affixed to the firm’s earlier correspondence was the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, instead of the current one for 2025. The University therefore questioned the lawyer’s right to practice for the ongoing year, insisting that his practicing fee for 2025 must be paid and verified before the pre-action notice could be considered valid.
“It is our observation that the seal you affixed to your letter under reference is your 2024 seal. As you are aware, you have a duty to pay your practising fee for 2025 to enable you to write as a lawyer,” the letter stated.
“It is therefore our request that you establish your right to practise as a lawyer for the year 2025 as required by the relevant regulations or rules.”
The University’s Legal Unit further stated that the correspondence was written under the instruction of the Vice-Chancellor, requesting the firm to “do the needful” in accordance with the Obafemi Awolowo University Act 2019 and professional standards governing legal practice in Nigeria.
Context of the Pre-Action Notice
Akahi News gathered that the pre-action notice issued by Hon. Nnadi’s firm alleged certain irregularities in OAU’s Post-UTME process, reportedly challenging aspects of the screening and admission exercise. The notice was meant to serve as a legal warning before the commencement of a court action against the institution.
However, with OAU’s response now questioning the validity of the notice on procedural grounds, the situation has taken a new legal dimension. Under Nigerian law, a pre-action notice is a statutory requirement in some cases before instituting legal proceedings against a government agency or public institution, including federal universities. But such notices must be properly executed by a legally recognised practitioner holding a valid practising licence for the relevant year.
Legal Implications and Professional Standards
By drawing attention to the use of an outdated NBA seal, OAU’s Legal Unit appears to be challenging the competence of the originating process, potentially rendering it defective. The NBA seal, introduced as part of reforms to ensure professional discipline, serves as evidence that a lawyer has paid their annual practising fees and is duly authorised to act in a professional capacity for that year.
Legal experts who spoke to Akahi News note that while such an issue may appear procedural, it could have significant implications for the case if not corrected promptly. “A process signed or sealed by a lawyer who has not renewed their practising licence for the current year may be deemed incompetent,” one legal analyst explained.
OAU’s Reputation and Legal Preparedness
The development underscores OAU’s firm stance on compliance with both legal and institutional standards. The University, renowned for its legal and administrative diligence, appears intent on ensuring that any action taken against it follows due process. By addressing the matter at the pre-litigation stage, OAU is positioning itself to avoid unnecessary procedural disputes in future court proceedings.
The University also copied the correspondence to key internal offices, including the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Registrar, Chairman, Committee of Deans, and Director of Academic Affairs, reflecting the seriousness attached to the issue.
What Next?
With the University’s Legal Unit formally challenging the procedural legitimacy of the pre-action notice, all eyes are now on the complainant’s next move. The law firm may need to regularise its position by updating its NBA practising licence for 2025 before any further legal steps can be considered valid.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders within the education and legal sectors are watching closely, viewing the episode as a lesson on the importance of procedural compliance in legal correspondence involving public institutions.
Akahi News will continue to monitor developments surrounding this legal exchange between OAU and E.K. Nnadi & Co.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
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