General
NBA Asks Court to Permanently Restrain Trade Minister from Allowing UK Lawyers to Practice in Nigeria
The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to permanently restrain the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, from enforcing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that permits UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria.
The suit, which Nairametrics reviewed on Tuesday, requests “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Minister of Trade) from discussing or further discussing and/or implementing the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, otherwise known as the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) Agreement dated 13th February 2024, in so far as it relates to legal practice or services.”
The NBA argues that the MoU concerning ETIP will “prejudice the interests, well-being, and livelihood of legal practitioners in Nigeria.”
NBA’s Case
Nairametrics earlier reported the signing of the “Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP)” between Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Anitie, and her British counterpart, Ms. Kemi Badenoch. This economic agreement aims to remove barriers in trade, finance, legal, and the creative industry and foster business collaboration between both countries.
However, the NBA strongly opposed the provision that would allow UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria. The Minister later clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the ETIP agreement does not permit UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria.
Despite this clarification, an affidavit submitted by Ayodeji Oni, Esq, NBA Secretariat Legal Officer, and Head, Legal Regulatory and Compliance, in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/668/2024, stated that the MoU sent to the NBA still included “legal services” as one of the items covered by the agreement. Oni testified before Justice Peter Lifu, emphasizing that the NBA, under the leadership of President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), was not prepared to enter a bilateral agreement with the UK on legal services due to restrictions imposed by the Legal Practitioners’ Act, which regulates legal practice in Nigeria.
Only the Chief Justice Can Authorize Foreign Lawyers
Oni further asserted that legal practitioners not listed on the Roll of the Supreme Court of Nigeria cannot practice law in the country. He explained that UK-licensed legal practitioners could only render legal services in Nigeria if they received a warrant from the Chief Justice of Nigeria. He emphasized that only the Chief Justice has the authority to grant limited practice rights to foreign lawyers in Nigeria.
Oni also pointed out that the MoU on ETIP was signed without consulting the NBA, which represents all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. He urged the court to support the NBA’s suit to protect the rights and interests of Nigerian legal practitioners according to existing laws.
General
Google Pushes Back Against Potential DOJ Proposal to Sell Chrome
Google has reacted strongly to reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) may propose forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser as part of antitrust remedies. The DOJ is expected to present its final recommendations to a judge this week in response to an August ruling that deemed Google a monopoly in online search.
Bloomberg reported the DOJ might also push for new restrictions on Google’s artificial intelligence (AI), Android operating system, and data usage practices. In a statement, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland criticized the proposal, saying, “The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case.”
Mulholland warned that such measures would harm consumers, developers, and U.S. technological leadership at a critical time for innovation.
Chrome is the dominant web browser worldwide, commanding 64.61% of the global market as of October, according to Similarweb. Google’s search engine, with an estimated 90% global market share, benefits significantly from being the default search option in Chrome and other browsers, such as Safari on iPhones.
Judge Amit Mehta previously described default search engine agreements as “extremely valuable real estate” for Google, noting that competitors would need to spend billions to secure similar deals.
The DOJ has hinted at potentially breaking up Google to address concerns over its ability to leverage products like Chrome, the Play Store, and Android to maintain its search monopoly. Final proposals are expected to include remedies aimed at limiting Google’s dominance across multiple platforms.
Google remains firm in its opposition, maintaining that the proposed measures would negatively impact users and innovation. The outcome of the DOJ’s recommendations will shape the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech industry.
General
Switzerland and Italy Redraw Alpine Border as Melting Glaciers Shift Boundaries
Switzerland and Italy have been compelled to redraw sections of their shared border in the Alps due to the ongoing effects of melting glaciers, driven by climate change. The revised boundary will affect areas near the iconic Matterhorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks, and regions close to well-known ski resorts such as Zermatt.
The Swiss-Italian border is traditionally defined by glacier ridgelines or perpetual snow areas. However, as glaciers shrink, these natural demarcations have shifted, prompting both nations to adjust the border accordingly. A draft agreement was reached in May 2023 by a joint commission, and Switzerland officially approved the changes last Friday, with Italy’s final approval still pending.
The new borders, which will impact locations like Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin, aim to address the practical needs of both countries, particularly in terms of maintaining natural areas. The clarified boundaries will also help resolve responsibility for managing these regions as the landscape continues to evolve.
Melting glaciers have revealed a number of surprising discoveries in recent years, including the remains of a German climber missing since 1986, found last July near the Matterhorn. Such discoveries highlight the rapid rate at which the glaciers are retreating and the broader impacts of climate change on the region.
General
Martinez Banned for ‘Offensive Behaviour’ by FIFA
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for “offensive behaviour” during recent World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
The suspension stems from two separate incidents. In the 3-0 win over Chile on September 6, Martinez controversially repeated his provocative celebration from the 2022 World Cup by holding a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch. This was Argentina’s first match since their Copa America victory in the United States in July.
Four days later, after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia on September 10, Martinez hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch.
The Argentina Football Association expressed disagreement with the suspension but acknowledged that Martinez was “responsible” for his actions. The ban means Martinez will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
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