The Legal Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has written to a legal practitioner, Hon. Kene Nnadi of F.K. Nnadi & Co., Enugu, challenging his eligibility to issue a pre-action notice against the institution.
In an official correspondence dated October 4, 2025, and signed by Yinka Ayantola, Esq., Director of Legal Services, the university observed that the lawyer used an outdated Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal on his earlier letter to the Vice-Chancellor.
Quoting directly from the letter, the university wrote: “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 practicing fee for 2025 to enable you to write as a lawyer. It is therefore our request that you establish your right to practice as a lawyer for the year 2025 as required by the relevant regulations or rules.”
The letter, titled “Pre-action Notice Pursuant to Section 49 of the Obafemi Awolowo University Act 2019,” was in response to Mr. Nnadi’s correspondence to the Vice-Chancellor, referenced KFN/PH.CH/2025/VOL./00063 and dated September 11, 2025, in which he reportedly raised concerns about the university’s Post-UTME process.
Concluding the letter, the Legal Unit added: “I have the instructions of the University to request you to do the needful.”
The correspondence was copied to key university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Registrar, Chairman, Committee of Deans, and Director, Academic Affairs.
With this development, OAU’s Legal Unit has effectively questioned the validity of the pre-action notice, insisting that the lawyer must first prove his right to practice for the year 2025 in line with NBA regulations.
Is the university lawyer aware that the NBA’S stamps and seals don’t expire?