FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES UNIT OF MPR
The core functions include the following:
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- Rendering legal advice on all matters assigned to the Department to ensure that all actions undertaken by the Ministry conform with the relevant laws and legislations including the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, other relevant legislations and general principles of law;
- Acting as liaison between the Ministry and Office of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice;
- Representing the Ministry in all matters in which the Ministry or any of its Agencies is/are party before various Courts, Tribunals and Panels in Nigeria and Abroad;
- Liaising with External Solicitors engaged by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF/MJ) to represent the MPR and Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on legal matters: including Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation and Settlement of claims etc;
- Liaising with other Departments of the Ministry and providing them with legal opinion on all legal matters;
- Represents the Ministry at meetings/negotiations (including bi-lateral) with organizations, international agencies or MDA’s as may be directed from time to time;
- Prosecuting all breaches bordering on the mandate of the Ministry;
- Representing the Ministry before the National Assembly Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on matters involving the Ministry;
- Serve as the Freedom of Information (FOI) desk towards ensuring the Ministry’s compliance with the provisions of the FOI Act 2011;
- Investigation and resolution of conflicts/disputes involving Petroleum Producing Host Communities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
- Any other responsibility as may be assigned by the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary from time to time.
