NBA rebukes EFCC Chairman for calling lawyers enablers of financial crimes
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned recent remarks by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that lawyers play a key role in enabling financial fraud and illicit financial flows.
NBA President, Affam Osigwe, expressed his concerns on Monday during the unveiling of the 2025 NBA General Conference logo and theme.
Osigwe dismissed Olukoyede’s claims as unsubstantiated and damaging to the legal profession.
Olukoyede had stated at the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja that lawyers often facilitate the transfer of illicit funds to offshore accounts in tax havens.
According to him, this involvement has been one of the most troubling findings of the EFCC’s investigations in recent years.
Reacting to these allegations, Osigwe acknowledged that no profession is entirely free of ethical breaches but condemned the generalisation of lawyers as primary enablers of financial crimes.
“We challenge the EFCC Chairman to come up with empirical evidence and if he cannot, he should never make such a statement again,” said Osigwe.
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He added, “It is unfortunate that such a statement was made. There may be a few bad eggs, but that does not represent the majority of lawyers who strive to uphold integrity and professionalism.”
Osigwe further reminded Olukoyede, himself a lawyer, of the critical role legal professionals play in the EFCC‘s investigative and prosecutorial efforts.
He warned that if such sweeping allegations persist, the NBA would consider legal action to protect the reputation of the legal profession.
The NBA President reaffirmed the association’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards and drew a clear line between professional responsibilities and criminal activities.
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