February 15, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Azuka-Anite, has debunked media reports that Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will enable UK licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria.
In a release last week, the Ministry disclosed that the two countries had signed the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership Agreement (ETIP) Agreement to boost trade volumes.
At a reception in Lagos for the vising UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, Dr Azuka-Anite said the agreement between the two countries was aimed at boosting trade through various channels.
This attracted condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders who faulted the move on the ground that the two countries operate exclusive independent legal system that makes it difficult for the UK and other foreign licensed attorneys to practise in Nigeria.
Consequently, the Trade and Investment Minister took to her X handle on Tuesday to clarify the statement, stressing that media reports on her comment regarding cooperation with the UK government was misconstrued.
She said, “Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggests that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practice in Nigeria.
“We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MOU.Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the United Kingdom and made no commitment, under the MOU or elsewhere, to allow UK- licensed lawyers practise in Nigeria.
“As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the U.K.) cannot practice in Nigeria, as categorically stated in the MOU.
“We recognise that cross jurisdictional practice between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is still an on-going conversation amongst relevant stakeholders within the legal practitioners community in Nigeria, and this was reflected in the MOU.”
The NBA had said it viewed the purported policy as an attempt to deprive Nigerian lawyers and their millions of dependants of means of livelihood.
According to the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, the body would convey a meeting of senior lawyers in the country to deliberate on how to stop the government from making the policy a reality.
“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.
About the Author
Sam Diala is a Bloomberg Certified Financial Journalist with over a decade of experience in reporting Business and Economy. He is Business Editor at THEWILL Newspaper, and believes that work, not wishes, creates wealth.
