The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos and Ikeja branches have reportedly sent legal warnings to companies appointing non-lawyers into legal director positions.
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In separate cease-and-desist letters addressed to Promasidor Limited, International Breweries and four other organizations, the NBA branches expressed dismay over the growing trend of designating non-legal professionals as heads of legal departments.
Citing Sections 22(1) and 22(5) of the Legal Practitioner’s Act 2004, NBA Lagos Chairman Olabisi Makanjuola and her Ikeja counterpart Seyi Olawunmi stated that the appointments of polytechnic graduates as legal directors violate provisions prohibiting non-lawyers from legal practice or using misleading titles.
The letters urged the companies to “immediately cease and desist” from such appointments or risk facing legal action from the NBA branches. The Association also called on the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) to address this development through their HR members.
Industry watchers say this NBA intervention aims to curb the increase of non-lawyers encroaching into legal roles in corporate Nigeria – an issue which raises ethical and regulatory questions.
The coming days will determine whether the affected companies comply with the demands or choose to challenge the NBA’s stance.
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