The Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja against the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Trade seeking detailed information on the recent bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom that would allow UK lawyers to practice law in Nigeria.

The suit came up for its first hearing today, May 13th, 2024, before Hon. Justice J. K Omotosho. LEDAP was represented by Adama Adamu Wakili Esq. The defendants, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Trade, were absent along with their counsel.

LEDAP’s counsel informed the court that the defendants had been served with the necessary documents and that LEDAP is prepared to proceed. The court adjourned the case to June 3rd, 2024 for hearing of the suit.

Background

In an originating motion filed at the Court with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/430/2024, LEDAP seeks orders to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Trade to comply with its request for information on the legal practice agreement, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

The reliefs sought in the suit are:

1. A DECLARATION that the Respondents’ denial of information requested by the applicants in its letters of 14th February 2024 to the Respondents, requesting for copies of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement on legal services between the Government of Nigeria and The United Kingdom and the details of consultations undertaken with relevant stakeholders in respect to the negotiation for the ETIP Agreement including with the Nigerian Bar Association, General Council of the Bar or any other body relevant to the protection of the legal trade in Nigeria is an infraction of Section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and of Applicants’ right to such information under the said section.
2. AN ORDER of court compelling the Respondent to disclose to the Applicant within 14 days of the order the detailed information as requested by the Applicant in its letters of 14^th February 2024, namely; Copies of the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement on legal services between the Government of Nigeria and The United Kingdom and details of consultations undertaken with relevant stakeholders in respect of the negotiation for the ETIP Agreement including with the Nigerian Bar Association, General Council of the Bar or any other body relevant to the protection of the legal trade in Nigeria.

The grounds for the application are as follows:

1. The Applicant has the right to the information it requested from the Respondents in its letter to the Respondents dated 14″ February 2024, (attached to the affidavit in support of the motion as Exhibits B and C), by virtue of section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
2. That the Respondents failed to furnish the Applicant with the information requested without stating any valid grounds for withholding the said information.
3. The National Assembly, in 2011, enacted the Freedom of Information Act which makes general provisions on requests for information by “anyone” in need of such information.
4. The information sought by the Applicant from the Respondents does not fall within any of the exemptions provided under Sections 11,12,14,15 16 and 17 of the Act, or under any other part of the Act.
5. This Honourable Court has the jurisdiction to order the Respondents to disclose the requested information under section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

Signed:

Nora Asobara

Program Officer