The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday, came down heavily on the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for alleging that lawyers are aiding money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.
National President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, while condemning the EFCC’s boss for making such sweeping allegations without evidence, warned that the association would not hesitate to commence legal action against the commission’s boss if he should repeat such statements without having his facts.
He was speaking with journalists in Abuja, during the unveiling of the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference Logo and Theme: Stand Out, Stand Tall.
Olukoyede, while speaking at the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja, had claimed that no mega financial fraud could be perfected without the input of lawyers.
“The most traumatic discovery of the EFCC in recent years was the subjugation of national interest and well-being to personal interest by lawyers who aided briefcase foreign investors to fleece the nation in dubious transactions.
“The P&ID scam, the Mambilla Power Project and Sunrise issues are cases in point,” the EFCC chairman stated, even as he called for action to stop what he described as “obscene legal fees” that senior lawyers receive from political office holders without recourse to financial regulations.
Reacting to the allegation, Osigwe stated that it is not right for the EFCC boss or any other person to accuse members of the legal profession of being involved in money laundering.
While stating that most of the persons in the anti-graft agency who are prosecuting corruption and money laundering cases are lawyers, Afam queried if by the EFCC boss’ statement he was suggesting that his lawyers were also aiding money laundering and terrorism financing.
“If for example, he has evidence of lawyers who have aided money laundering and are standing trial or who may have been convicted or have pleaded guilty then, one would say he has evidence. But it’s unfortunate that such statements were made and I am sure that with the benefit of hindsight he wouldn’t have made such statement”, he said.
While urging lawyers to ensure that they do not use their professional services to aid money laundering or terrorism financing, Osigwe warned that no agency should utilise the public platform to suggest that members of the legal profession or indeed any profession are most guilty members of the public in the fight against money laundering and corruption.
“In the absence of evidence, such statement should never be made. We are proud members of the legal profession and we must draw the line in performing our professional duties and aiding the commission of crime. We do not do that.
“There may be few bad eggs but that does not represent the picture or the majority of lawyers who toil to build up a reputation of integrity and professionalism.
“The EFCC chairman should not for whatever reason soil that image by portraying all of us as aiders of money laundering. If that happens again, we will take legal action to protect the image of the legal profession,” Osigwe warned.
Meanwhile, the NBA president called on members of the public, including journalists who have any corruption evidence against any lawyer to forward a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), stating that the body has the capacity to weed out the bad eggs.
Earlier, chairman of the 2024 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Dr. Emeka Obegolu, SAN, described the theme of the conference as a call to action, a rallying cry for legal practitioners to rise above mediocrity, distinguish themselves in their respective fields, uphold the tenets of justice with courage, resilience, and unwavering integrity.
Obegolu said: “The phrase ‘Stand Out’ challenges us to embrace excellence and innovation in a world increasingly defined by complexity and change.
“As lawyers, it is our duty to lead with clarity, creativity, and a deep commitment to justice. Whether in the courtroom, the boardroom, or our communities, we must be the standard-bearers of professionalism and competence.
“Stand Tall inspires us to hold firm in the face of adversity, to remain steadfast in our values, and to be unapologetically bold in advocating for what is right.
“In an era where ethical compromise often seems the path of least resistance, standing tall means being the voice of integrity, equity, and fairness in all that we do”.
Meanwhile, the NBA used the event to flag-off its 16-day activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, saying its team would visit prisons and various detention facilities across the country to secure the release of some inmates and detainees.
Alex Enumah
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