The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, has criticised the federal government over the alleged signing of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement, which allows lawyers from the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria.
Maikyau, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said the agreement was signed without the consent of the NBA, and that it would compromise the country’s legal space.
He said the NBA would not allow any foreign lawyers to encroach on the Nigerian legal system, and that it would seek judicial review of the agreement up to the Supreme Court if necessary.
“What efforts has the government of Nigeria made to ensure that Nigerian lawyers have access to the UK legal environment? What is even more tragic is that the agreement was entered into without engaging the NBA on the text of the agreement,” he said.
“This is a clear indication of the limited recognition the Government of Nigeria attaches to its professional bodies. We are certain that the UK government will not treat its law society and bar council in such a despicable manner. For the avoidance of doubt, let me say clearly, that the NBA rejects the agreement insofar as it relates to legal services. We fully intend to seek judicial review of the agreement including up to the Supreme Court if necessary.”
Maikyau also said the Federal Government must adopt a holistic approach towards tackling the various forms of criminal activities that have left many Nigerians homeless, fearful, and in despair.
He said; “From the ravaging activities of bandits and terrorists to the scourge of kidnapping for ransom and other forms of criminal activities, bloodshed has become a daily occurrence. The news of these dastardly incidents pervades the airwaves and psyche of Nigerians, sending shock and instilling fear in the populace.
“Some Nigerians have lost, and many more are fast losing confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to deal with the security situation in Nigeria. At this time, when public confidence in the sincerity of the government in dealing with insecurity is at its lowest ebb, something radical must be done as a matter of emergency.”
The NBA President also called on the need for reform in the country’s justice system to restore confidence in the judiciary “by disciplining any member of the profession seen to be found wanting in the course of his or her duty.”
The work or function of the judiciary is no less a security assignment than the work of the military, security, and other law enforcement agencies in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria and ensuring the observance of law and order in the society,” he said.