‘’Uk Lawyers practicing in Nigeria’’ Lawyers Still Reacting

 Just some few day into the year 2024, Nigerians woke up to a news alert that the Federal Government of Nigeria have entered into a trade agreement with the British government which include allowing British lawyers to practice in Nigeria..

 After major criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Law Society (NLS) , the Minister for Trade and Investment Doris Uzoka-Anite retracted her earlier statement on her X handle.

Uzoka-Anite said: “Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.

“Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggests that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria. We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MoU.”

The minister reiterated that Nigeria does not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK and made no commitment under the MOU or elsewhere, to allow UK-licensed lawyers to practise in Nigeria.

“As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the UK) cannot practise in Nigeria, as categorically stated in the MoU.

“We recognise that cross-jurisdictional practice between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is still an ongoing conversation amongst relevant stakeholders within the legal practitioners’ community in Nigeria, and this was reflected in the MoU.”

However, Nigerian lawyers have not stopped raising their voices over the report. Here are some of their responses.

 Barrister Nonso Azih in his reaction said  ‘’This development will have a far-reaching impact on us as lawyers practicing in Nigeria. Our focus should be to critically analyse the potential impact, merits, if at all, and how to brace up for the challenges of the dynamic realities of modern-day law practice.

Mr. Jamiu Akolade, an employment and commercial dispute resolution lawyer, and also a trustee of Employment and Labour Lawyers Association of Nigeria (ELLAN) said "The report of granting British Lawyers the licence to practise in Nigeria is understandably worrying. There is a wide gap in the level of development of the legal industries in both jurisdictions currently and an incursion under any guise would only widen that.’’

Our law is clear in the requirements to practice law in Nigeria. Foreign trained lawyers have the option of attending our Law School and getting licensed.  Our government should rather be focused on creating more opportunities for Nigerian lawyers and not otherwise."

In his own submission ,Shehu Mustafa said : ‘’How can the NBA work with the government to improve the legal business environment- upholding rule of law, making the courts efficient and making enforcement of judgments easier etc etc?

In the UK the government fully sees the legal market as a key component of the economy and works assiduously across board to continue to improve that sector.

The encroachment on legal business is ongoing from all sectors- clerics, police, babalawos are now the unmentioned ADR mechanisms,  estate agents are doing their own, AI is doing its own. Unfortunately the dwindling economy also necessarily impacts the profession; poor customer service from lawyers; unethical behaviour from the Bar and Bench, inefficient courts all make it less attractive for clients to use legal services. The profession needs to take a long hard look in the mirror and do 180 degree turn on many issues.’’

Nathalia Esezobor, in her contribution said ‘’I agree that the standards have fallen and almost look incorrigible. No one but us (lawyers) can set the records straight if we are honest. Nevertheless, make Oyibo stay in their country. These guys are not stupid. Nigeria is corrupt, Nigeria horrible YET they are trooping in their thousands. There is something great about Naija’’.