Reps Order Halt To Nigeria-UK Trade Deal Over Concerns For Nigerian Lawyers

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to immediately halt the signing and implementation of the trade partnership with the UK allowing UK lawyers to practise in Nigeria until the terms and conditions governing the same are fully examined and ascertained.

The House also resolved to investigate the matter, while asking the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to appear before the Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements during the investigation and report back to the House within four weeks.

The motion is sponsored by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbare (APC, Edo) and 47 other members cut across the six geo-political zones.

Moving the motion on behalf of the sponsors, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda informed the House of recent reports and public outcry over an alleged economic and trade partnership between the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria aimed at exploring new opportunities in key sectors such as the energy, legal, and financial services sectors.

He said the trade deal became very heightened some days ago as the legal aspect appeared lopsided and tilted mainly in favour of the UK to the detriment of qualified Nigerian lawyers because it seeks to allow UK lawyers to enter the Nigerian legal space and practice but not vice versa.

According to him, under the trade deal referred to as “Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP),” the British Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch and Nigeria’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka, were to sign an agreement on behalf of their respective countries last week in Nigeria.

He said further that it was also reported that under the Trade partnership, Nigeria committed herself to work towards removing barriers that prevent UK lawyers from practising international and foreign law in Nigeria.

Chinda argued that while the deal seeks to foster collaboration between the film and media industries 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.

He stressed that while it is good for Nigeria to enter into partnership deals with other countries to unlock future opportunities and thus contribute towards boosting the country’s economy, such deals must be seen to promote, preserve, and protect the interests of the generality of Nigerians.

He said that in furtherance of its law-making powers under Section 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the National Assembly must inquire into matters such as this in the overall interest of the country and the citizenry.

He said the fact that following the public outcry over the said trade deal, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through its President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) issued a statement questioning the legality of the legal services aspect of the deal and calling for a halt to its signing and implementation.

He said the statement issued by the NBA may have reassured Nigerian lawyers and doused the tension and controversy generated by the alleged trade deal, it is apparent that there was insufficient consultation with key stakeholders and affected interests concerning the deal.

Chinda said there is an urgent need for this House (the Legislature) to investigate the said trade deal between the UK and Nigeria to ascertain the terms and conditions thereof;

He said unless immediate pragmatic steps are taken to investigate and address this issue, the country may unwittingly be entering into a deal whose terms and conditions may, in the long run, be unfavourable to the country and the overall interest of Nigerians.