The Legal Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has formally responded to a law firm that recently issued a pre-action notice against the institution over alleged irregularities in its Post-UTME exercise. The university’s reply, dated October 4, 2025, has raised questions about the validity of the notice on professional grounds.
According to the Legal Unit, the correspondence from the concerned law firm carried a 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal instead of a valid 2025 one. The University stated that this indicates the lawyer has not renewed his practicing license for the current year, which is a fundamental requirement for engaging in legal practice in Nigeria.
In its response, OAU’s Legal Unit requested that the lawyer provide evidence of an up-to-date practicing license to establish his right to act on behalf of the complainants. The University stressed that until such proof is provided, the pre-action notice cannot be regarded as validly issued under Nigerian legal procedures.
By this position, the University is effectively questioning the legality of the notice and the authority of the counsel to initiate or threaten legal proceedings without meeting the statutory requirements set by the Legal Practitioners Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The OAU Legal Unit maintained that compliance with professional regulations is essential to ensure due process and credibility in any correspondence or legal action directed at the institution. The statement added that the University remains committed to transparency, fairness, and adherence to lawful procedures in all its admission processes.
This development adds a new dimension to the dispute surrounding the 2025 Post-UTME exercise, as it temporarily halts any legal progression until the issue of the lawyer’s licensing is resolved. Legal experts note that a pre-action notice issued by an unlicensed practitioner could be deemed procedurally defective and therefore invalid in court.
The University reiterated that while it welcomes constructive engagement from stakeholders, it would not entertain claims or legal threats that do not conform to established professional and ethical standards.
Meanwhile, the OAU management has assured the public that its Post-UTME process remains transparent, credible, and fully compliant with the guidelines set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The case, observers say, highlights the importance of regulatory compliance within the Nigerian legal system, where the use of an outdated NBA seal can invalidate even the most legitimate legal claims.
As the matter stands, further action from the complainants may depend on whether the lawyer involved can regularize his practicing status and reissue the pre-action notice in accordance with legal requirements.
