Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken a step to safeguard the interests of local legal practitioners by requesting the Federal High Court to issue a permanent injunction against the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite. The NBA seeks to prevent the minister from implementing a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would allow UK-based lawyers to practice law in Nigeria.
The MOU in question, part of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement signed on February 13, 2024, has sparked significant controversy within the Nigerian legal community. The NBA argues that allowing UK lawyers to operate in Nigeria would undermine the livelihoods of Nigerian legal professionals and disrupt the local legal ecosystem.
In their legal filing, the NBA demands “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Minister of Trade) from discussing or further discussing and/or implementing the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, otherwise known as the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement dated 13th February 2024, insofar as it relates to legal practice or services.” The association contends that the MOU would “prejudice the interests, well-being, and livelihood of legal practitioners in Nigeria.”
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, expressed grave concerns over the potential impact of the MOU, emphasizing that it threatens to erode the professional standards and opportunities for local lawyers. “The legal profession in Nigeria is already facing numerous challenges, and this MOU would only exacerbate the situation by allowing foreign lawyers to encroach on our practice,” Maikyau stated.
As the case unfolds, the legal community and stakeholders across Nigeria are in ànt the developments. The outcome of this legal battle could set a significant precedent for the future of legal practice in the country, influencing the balance between international cooperation and the protection of local professional interests.
