The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to go after lawyers who collect “proceeds of crimes” as payment for their professional services.
EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was said to have issued the warning at a panel discussion on money laundering at the ongoing 64th Annual General Conference of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference 2024 in Lagos.
“We are not saying you are not entitled to your pay but what we are saying is that the money that comes to you must not be proceeds of crimes,” Mr Olukoyede said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, in Abuja, the spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, quoted the EFCC boss as urging lawyers to always observe due diligence in their practices.
“It is expedient on you to, at least, know who your client is. You are expected to be paid from a legitimate source.
“If you are a victim of crimes, you will understand what I am saying. As lawyers, you must not, in any way, derogate or demean your professional commitment to your clients.
“Even a part of the money laundering Act that we have evaluated doesn’t stop me from enforcing the regulations of the EFCC Act and other financial laws in Nigeria,” he said.
“It is my duty to trace the proceeds of crimes. And if I trace it to you, I will invite you for questioning, and it is your duty to answer my questions.
“I mean, why do we talk about aiding and abetting crimes? Why do we have accessories before and after the fact?
“Knowing this will assist me to determine your level of culpability or otherwise,” he added.
The EFCC spokesman said that Mr Olukoyede urged lawyers to know the background of their clients so as not to run afoul of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations.
In his remark, the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, tried to clarify the salient points raised by Mr Olukoyede during the session.
Mr Maikyau also urged lawyers to receive Mr Olukoyede’s charge with an open mind, adding that both the NBA and the EFCC should be partners in the fight against corruption.
“Who else should be in the vanguard of the fight against corruption other than us?” he asked.
(NAN)
