The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the recent agreement to allow United Kingdom Attorneys to practice in Nigeria.

The NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in an email to lawyers of the Nigerian Bar Association on Tuesday by 11:34 pm, titled "The Purported ETIP Agreement on Legal Services between the Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom," asserted that the association was not consulted before such step was taken.

He said, "My attention was drawn to the news-making round on a number of media platforms on the alleged signing of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership Agreement, between the governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It was reported that this agreement seeks to enable cooperation between the two countries in areas such as financial and legal services. More bewildering is the stated provision that will allow lawyers from the United Kingdom to practice in Nigeria. Understandably, this news has generated tremendous disquiet within and outside the legal profession in Nigeria."

"The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was reported to have expressed delight over what she described as a 'ground-breaking agreement' that will translate to 'more money' for Nigeria.

"The NBA finds this statement credited to the Honourable Minister ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed. It is indeed unfortunate that this tragic reminder of our colonial past is being gleefully celebrated at the highest level of the Government of Nigeria. What is more disheartening is the fact that a decision of this magnitude that adversely affects the wellbeing and livelihood of millions of Nigerians could be taken without any consultation, especially with the Nigerian Bar Association."

According to him, at all the meetings he had with officials of the Law Society of England & Wales and the Bar Council of England & Wales, he never failed to note the opposition to a bilateral agreement between the Government of Nigeria and that of the United Kingdom on legal services.

He posited, "For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA had no foreknowledge or inclination of the text of the said agreement. We could not therefore have contributed to it. I have since assuming office as President of the NBA clearly opposed any agreement that will compromise our legal space. At all the meetings I had with officials of the Law Society of England & Wales and the Bar Council of England & Wales, I never failed to note our opposition to a bilateral agreement between the Government of Nigeria and that of the United Kingdom on legal services. In the workshop I attended with Mr George Etomi on 5 October 2023, convened by the UK-Nigeria Working Group on Trade Policy, with officials of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in attendance, at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), King Charles Street, London, I made the point in unmistakable terms, that the NBA does not support any bilateral agreement with the UK on legal services. I emphasised that we are not yet at a place for such an agreement and that even if are to enjoy reciprocity with the UK (which is not an acceptable position), the knowledge and skills gap is so wide that we cannot favourably compete with the lawyers from the UK. I made it clear that while there can be an agreement or discussion on other trade matters, legal services was not on the table.

We know for certain that the British Government will not undermine its own body of legal professionals in such spectacular fashion as this administration has done to the NBA in the matter of this agreement. It is truly tragic that while the government of the UK is seeking opportunities for its own lawyers beyond its constrained environment, the government of Nigeria is attempting to deprive Nigerian lawyers and their millions of dependants of a means of livelihood.

"To embark on such a venture without recourse to the NBA is the height of insensitivity to the plight of the legal profession in Nigeria, and this is totally unacceptable."

He declared, "We want to make it very clear that the ETIP agreement, in so far as it relates to legal services is unacceptable in its entirety.

"The NBA will take all necessary measures provided by our laws in support of our position on this matter. As a starting point, I have today convened a meeting of senior lawyers with a view to devising an appropriate litigation strategy. We intend to fully challenge the legality of this agreement all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. This is without prejudice to other intervention measures that may be necessary to express our rejection of this agreement.

"I want to use this opportunity to call on all members of the NBA to brace up for the struggle ahead. The NBA under my leadership will not allow any incursion into our legal space."

It was earlier reported in a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade on Tuesday, the signing of a new deal by the United Kingdom with Nigeria to boost trade, and investments and unlock new opportunities in various sectors.

https://punchng.com/nba-rejects-agreement-to-let-uk-lawyers-practise-in-nigeria/

Nlfpmod

Although the Minister later deleted the tweet where she claimed no such agreement exists, it is noteworthy to question why she said it in the first place.

On what basis, on whose authority did she enter into such an agreement on behalf of Nigeria without consulting with the Attorney General and the Nigerian Bar Association? By signing that agreement, this inexperienced minister just undermined the entire Nigerian judiciary and undermined Nigeria. The painful part is that there is no reciprocal agreement to allow Nigerian lawyers practice in the UK.

Doris Anite, what are you doing? You have not done anything to foster trade among Nigerian states, enhance exports to African market and global markets. I am sorry, it seems Stella Okotete has more brains than you in understanding trade and exports.

Because of your inexperience and immaturity, you have committed Nigeria to something that embarrasses the entire country. To even think you are way older than Kemi Badenoch who played you like a badly beaten chicken drenched with ice water during harmattan.

In the US, you must pass the state bar exams before you can practice in that state if you hold the license in another state. Who the hell are you to waive licensing for UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria?

Please start looking for countries who need our yams, sesame seeds, cocoa beans, groundnut and fruits. Stop all these your brainless traveling that has not yielded anything positive and has certainly not exposed you as someone who knows what the hell she is doing.

After learning about the yeye agreement earlier, this was my reaction:

From media reports, the deal won't benefit Nigeria in any way. British people just want to take, take and just keep taking.

British people are a bunch of bloody users and thieves! A country that isn't a major crude oil exporter but has one of the world's richest oil and gas company, Shell.

Your fear that you lawyers will be exposed now.
Why is it that Nigerians are working in all sectors abroad but we always limits people from other nations working in some areas in Nigeria
So federal government must consult NDA before taking any decision that will benefit the masses.
CONFUSED FELLOW.

SoNature:
After learning about the yeye agreement earlier, this was my reaction:

From media reports, the deal won't benefit Nigeria in any way. British people just want to take, take and just keep taking.

British people are a bunch of bloody users and thieves! A country that isn't a major crude oil exporter but has one of the world's richest oil and gas company, Shell.

NNPC is the useless organization here. The reason why countries that have no crude oil exploit us is they have brains and are patriotic.

NNPC is a company that has no rigs, cannot run refineries, cannot explore hydrocarbons, lacks expertise...this is why they have time to commit atrocities like paying subsidies, mortgaging our future crude oil earnings to pay subsidies, ruining refineries and so on.

NNPC does not not know how much crude oil is taken out of Nigeria daily by the IOCs. The NNPC business model is only known to NNPC and is exploitative of Nigerians. IOCs have exploited us because NNPC is incompetent.

123yes:
Your fear that you lawyers will be exposed now.
Why is it that Nigerians are working in all sectors abroad but we always limits people from other nations working in some areas in Nigeria
So federal government must consult NDA before taking any decision that will benefit the masses.
CONFUSED FELLOW.

Actually, there is a code/act for legal practitioners in Nigeria. To practice law in Nigeria, you must pass the Nigerian Bar exams and be called to bar. Doris Anite just waived that for UK lawyers.

The federal government need not consult the NBA before taking such a decision. They ought to amend the laws and NBA must have an input there.

No country will do what Doris Anite did yesterday.

123yes:
Your fear that you lawyers will be exposed now.
Why is it that Nigerians are working in all sectors abroad but we always limits people from other nations working in some areas in Nigeria
So federal government must consult NDA before taking any decision that will benefit the masses.
CONFUSED FELLOW.

Another idiotic fool roaming the streets of Nairaland.

Good development that the NBA has taken up the fight to squarely oppose the proposed intrusion into our legal system by our erstwhile colonial master.

For me, they see us as a people who are gullible and can be fleeced at every given opportunity.


The quest to partake in the "gold rush" during election seasons is the enticement that is attracting these leeches. Why are they not signing such trades agreements with south Africa or Kenya?

As long as the deal doesn't automatically permits Nigeria trained lawyers the same unrestrained rights to practice law in the UK , then that agreement is equivalent to self immolation.

I'm not sure any charlatan garbed in a political cloak will advocate same in the health profession as foreign trained doctors may not understand the nuances of tropical diseases.

Such a disgraceful bunch selected and appointed to positions of authority in a country.

Slaves...

Will the UK allow Nigerian lawyers to practice in the UK?

Suspicious move from the UK government .... With the support by the corrupt political class in Nigeria , which will further aid them in their looting spree across boarders


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXVkmZxAzDU

This one na jealousy dey worry them.

Corruption-filled country judges dey try dodge bullet. Dem never wan cast yet hence the disagreement...

Reading…

"the knowledge and skills gap is so wide that we cannot favourably compete with the lawyers from the UK"....A lot of Nigerian lawyers who hitherto have been "winning" cases through fraudulent means will be exposed.

CONFUSE GA D MA

Hmm

No qualms. Such agreement should include the UK lawyers passing through our school systems and The Nigerian Law School, before they can practise.

Don't just reject this offer. Imagine if they should reject Nigerian medical doctors, nurses, engineers, et Al. Make una think am Wella!

In my opinion, what Nigeria lawyers authority should do is setting their practice exam, and whoever pass should be allowed to practice.

Doris Anite is a dumb ass. Why is she signing agreements on behalf of Nigeria? Isn’t this agreement supposed to be reviewed and signed by the Presidency? Who in the Presidency cleared this rubbish agreement?

Obviously these Ministers have shown they have the thinking capacity of a potato. They should not be allowed close to any cash or making any final decisions about the country without being scrutinized and cleared by the Presidency or the SGF and final signature by the President?

This agreement was entered into in bad faith therefore it will not stand

Why are running?

I tell you. There are loads of imbeciles commenting on nairaland. How does a minister of trade take such a decision without consulting the attorney General or the NBA? How is such a policy going to work? Do the Brits know or understand Nigerian laws? Did they take the bar exam? Are they going to law school? Just thinking of this is sacrilegious! The NBA should fight tooth and nail against such nonsense.
To think that it is not reciprocal makes me boil with rage! How can she do such with no consultation?

BadMaster:

Another idiotic fool roaming the streets of Nairaland.

Who ever? You must spend 1 yr at the laws chool before takingthe exam.

Eniolohunda:
In my opinion, what Nigeria lawyers authority should do is setting their practice exam, and whoever pass should be allowed to practice.

emkz:


https://punchng.com/nba-rejects-agreement-to-let-uk-lawyers-practise-in-nigeria/

Nlfpmod

Inferiority complex. Were you not trained to compete with international lawyers? Were some of you not trained in England?

Not my biz

When you sell yourself, you become very common, and you lose your respect drastically. The Nigerian judiciary has not seen the height of the embarrassment they will get. Las las, FG will look for 5 of them who will take bribes and cause confusion in their camp.

UK-based lawyers will start taking a bigger share of the revenues for lawyers. Most big companies will start employing Nigerian UK-based lawyers as their company secretaries. Lol. Dangote, Ote$, Adenuga, etc will soon dump the as.ses of Nigerian-based lawyers. Dem never start....even political cases where they always cash out will be given more to UK-based lawyers...

Lawyers will permanently be omoniles' solution. Nothing else dem go fit do again. They will turn to toughs who drag land and properties with omonile.

Bunch of corrupt lawyers won't allow this.

If they are Nigerians why not allow them, they know they can be bought hence the disagreement.

Shey na una dey pass nonsense judgement for court to force this people on Nigerians, now the table don turn, UK lawyers are here to stay, if you don't like it go to court.

As Nigerians, we want to assure The colonial lawyers to go about their lawful legal business in Nigeria and we warn every protesting party to stand down.

Signed...
NIGERIANS
😋😋😋😋😋😋