House of Representatives Advises The Tinubu Government Not To Permit UK Lawyers To Practice In Nigeria

Representatives will examine the bilateral legal practice agreement between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

The Nigerian-British enhanced trade and investment partnership (ETIP) has prompted the house of representatives to look into it.

Following the passage of a motion supported by the minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, and 48 other members, the lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary session on Tuesday.

Nigeria inked a pact in February to remove obstacles that prevented UK lawyers from practicing international law in Nigeria, according to Minister of Trade and Investment Doris Uzoka-Anitie.

Uzoka-Anitie retracted her previous comments, claiming that there was no such formal agreement between Nigeria and the UK, in response to criticism of the alleged agreement from Nigerians and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Chinda moved the motion, stating that although the agreement aims to promote cooperation between the media and film sectors in the UK and Nigeria, it “does not cater for the interests of Nigerian lawyers as there are no such provisions or opportunities for them to practice their trade in” the UK.

“While it is good for Nigeria to enter into partnership deals with other countries for the purpose of unlocking future opportunities and thus contributing towards boosting the country's economy, such deals must be seen to promote, preserve, and protect the interests of the generality of Nigerians,” the lawmaker said.

He noted that the national parliament has the authority under section 4 of the constitution to look into such issues in the best interests of the nation as a whole.

“There is an urgent need for this house to investigate the said trade deal between the UK and Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the terms and conditions thereof,” the lawmaker stated.

He warned that the nation would “unwittingly be entering into a deal whose terms and conditions may in the long run be unfavourable” to the nation and the interests of Nigerians as a whole if action is not taken to look into and resolve the deal.

Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas put the resolution to a voice vote, and it was approved.

Subsequently, the House asked that the trade and investment ministry of the United Kingdom “immediately” stop signing and executing the trade agreement “until the terms and conditions governing the same are fully examined and ascertained.”

The committee on treaties, protocols, and agreements was also instructed by the house to look into the issue and provide a report in four weeks so that more legislation can be taken.