In a strongly worded statement released on the 13th February 2024, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has voiced his concerns regarding the purported signing of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The agreement, reported to enable cooperation in financial and legal services, has sparked widespread unease, particularly due to provisions allowing UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria.
Mr. Maikyau denounced remarks attributed to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who hailed the agreement as groundbreaking, labeling them as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.” He criticized the absence of consultation with the NBA, highlighting the decision’s significant implications for the legal profession and millions of Nigerians.
Asserting the NBA’s opposition to any agreement compromising Nigeria’s legal space, Maikyau emphasized his consistent stance during meetings with UK legal bodies and Nigerian government officials. He underscored the impracticality of such an agreement given the vast knowledge and skills gap between Nigerian and UK lawyers.
Expressing skepticism towards the British government’s hypothetical willingness to undermine its legal professionals, Maikyau lamented the disparity in approach between the UK and Nigerian governments. He condemned the agreement as an attempt to deprive Nigerian lawyers of livelihood opportunities, branding it “totally unacceptable.”
In response, he announced plans for legal action, including challenging the agreement’s legality up to the Supreme Court if necessary. He called upon NBA members to rally against any encroachment on Nigeria’s legal space, assuring steadfast leadership in defending the profession’s interests.
The President’s statement underscores the NBA’s firm opposition to the ETIP agreement’s provisions on legal services, signalling a potential legal showdown in the pursuit of safeguarding Nigeria’s legal sovereignty.
This development marks a significant chapter in Nigeria’s legal landscape, with the NBA poised to spearhead efforts in protecting the profession’s integrity and autonomy against perceived external threats.
SEE THE FULL STATEMENT HERE
