The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed strong disapproval of a recent agreement that would have allowed United Kingdom attorneys to practice law in Nigeria.
In an email sent by NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) to Nigerian lawyers on Tuesday evening, titled “The Purported ETIP Agreement on Legal Services between the Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” Maikyau emphasized that the association was not consulted before such a decision was made.
The news of the alleged signing of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership Agreement between the governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which included provisions for cooperation in financial and legal services, particularly allowing UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria, has caused widespread concern within and outside the legal profession in Nigeria.
The NBA president criticized the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for describing the agreement as a “ground-breaking agreement” that would bring more financial gains to Nigeria. Maikyau described the minister’s statement as ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed. He further expressed disappointment that such a significant decision, impacting the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, was made without consultations, especially with the NBA.
Maikyau clarified that during his meetings with officials from the Law Society of England & Wales and the Bar Council of England & Wales, he consistently expressed opposition to a bilateral agreement between the Nigerian and UK governments regarding legal services. He also pointed out that the NBA had no prior knowledge of the agreement and could not have contributed to its content. He stressed that he had repeatedly opposed any agreement that would compromise Nigeria’s legal space.
The NBA president highlighted the wide knowledge and skills gap between Nigerian lawyers and their UK counterparts, stating that Nigeria was not prepared for such an agreement. He emphasized that while other trade matters could be discussed, legal services were not on the table.
Maikyau criticized the Nigerian government for attempting to deprive Nigerian lawyers and their dependents of a means of livelihood while the UK government actively sought opportunities for its own legal professionals beyond its borders. He described the government’s venture without NBA consultation as insensitive and wholly unacceptable.
The president made it clear that the NBA found the ETIP agreement, particularly concerning legal services, entirely unacceptable. He announced that the NBA would take all necessary legal measures, including litigation if needed, to challenge the agreement’s legality. Maikyau also called on NBA members to prepare for the upcoming struggle, assuring them that the association would not allow any encroachment on Nigeria’s legal space.
Earlier, the UK’s Department of Business and Trade issued a statement announcing a new deal with Nigeria aimed at boosting trade, investments, and collaboration in various sectors. The deal was expected to eliminate barriers in legal services and the film industry, allowing Nigerian lawyers to practice international law in the UK and vice versa while fostering collaboration in the film and media industry between both countries.
The agreement aimed to remove obstacles preventing UK lawyers from practicing international and foreign law in Nigeria, potentially increasing UK legal services exports.