Highlight

UK lawyers can’t practice in Nigeria, FG backtracks

Persecondnews reports that a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria was set to sign a partnership agreement that will permit British legal practitioners to operate businesses and render services in Nigeria.

766

The Federal Government has retracted its earlier statement on the legal aspect of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed with the United Kingdom on Tuesday.

The Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, revealed in a thread on X (formerly Twitter) that Nigeria does not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK and made no commitment under the MOU or elsewhere to allow UK-licenced lawyers to practice in Nigeria.

Persecondnews reports that the retraction follows criticism from Nigerians over the perceived one-sided nature of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UK.

“Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for an 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 practice in Nigeria.

“We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MpU.

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

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

Persecondnews reports that a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria was set to sign a partnership agreement that will permit British legal practitioners to operate businesses and render services in Nigeria.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....

It’s fake news: Fubara did not order shut down of NNPC Ltd, oil companies in Rivers

The Rivers State Government has refuted a report circulating on social media,...

Tinubu to NEC: Allow tax reform bills pass through legislative process, public hearing

President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the...

Minister Inspects Bagaja Renewables’ Zawaciki 1MWp Mini-Grid Amid Northern Power Crisis

As northern Nigeria grapples with prolonged power outages, Minister of Power Adelabu...

Just in: Court grants VeryDarkMan N2m bail

Reprieve has come for the detained social media critic, Martins Otse, popularly...

Just in: #EndBadGovernance protest: Teenager collapses in court, forces judge to suspend proceeding

A teenager, one of the 76 people charged before a Federal High...

Keyamo refutes reports of airstrip license revocation for Oyedepo, others

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Tax reform bill not targeted at North, to streamline tax administration processes, enhance efficiency – Presidency

The Presidency has clarified the misconceptions about the tax reform of the...

DSS, Police to give security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike, FCT Minister

In a bold move to curtail kidnapping and the ubiquitous ‘one chance’...

Reps step down motion to reverse change of Niger Delta Ministry to Regional Development Ministry

The House of Representatives has failed to consider a motion asking President...

FG holds talks with striking university workers

Four days into the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government has invited...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Philanthropist Dr. Kensington Adebutu’s multi-million Naira Media Resource Centre at NIJ, Lagos, Inaugurated

The prestigious Sir (Dr.) Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu Media Resource Centre built by...

Just in: After 10 months in captivity, Kaduna female doctor, Popoola, freed

Ten months after her kidnapping, Kaduna-based medical doctor, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, has...

Just in: Reps to FG: Halt issuance of licence to private airstrips

Citing security reasons, the House of Representatives has moved to stop the...