The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has condemned reports of an agreement between the Nigerian and UK governments for UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria.

Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), NBA President, issued a statement saying the association’s leadership had learned of reports that the Ministry of Trade and Investment signed the agreement with the UK.

He said the NBA was not consulted before the move and was opposed to such an agreement as it would affect Nigerian lawyers negatively.

His statement on Tuesday night came hours after Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Trade and Investment, tweeted, “I am delighted to announce the official signing of a groundbreaking agreement between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, allowing British lawyers to practice within Nigeria.”

Maikyau’s statement read in part: “My attention was drawn to the news-making round on a number of media platforms on the alleged signing of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership Agreement, between the governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It was reported that this agreement seeks to enable cooperation between the two countries in areas such as financial and legal services. More bewildering is the stated provision that will allow lawyers from the United Kingdom to practice in Nigeria. Understandably, this news has generated tremendous disquiet within and outside the legal profession in Nigeria.

“The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was reported to have expressed delight over what she described as a ‘ground-breaking agreement’ that will translate to ‘more money’ for Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Minister Puts N2m Bounty on Anambra Lawyer Who Inserted Hot Knife Into Housekeeper’s Private Part

“The NBA finds this statement credited to the Honourable Minister ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed. It is indeed unfortunate that this tragic reminder of our colonial past is being gleefully celebrated at the highest level of the Government of Nigeria. What is more disheartening is the fact that a decision of this magnitude that adversely affects the wellbeing and livelihood of millions of Nigerians could be taken without any consultation, especially with the Nigerian Bar Association.”

Meanwhile, following backlash over her initial tweet, Uzoka-Anite edited her tweet five hours later and deleted the portion that mentions the UK lawyers working in Nigeria.

She also made another tweet at 9:12 pm on Tuesday confirming her earlier “report erroneously suggest that Nigeria has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 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,” she said.

Despite her rebuttal, several lawyers and Nigerians continue to condemn the original statement and idea.