Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Assembly to pass legislation supporting the government’s whistle-blower policy.
The EFCC boss made the appeal at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos, which focused on anti-money laundering considerations for lawyers.
Olukoyede stressed that such legislation would mandate the protection of whistle-blowers by law enforcement agencies.
He also urged lawyers across the country to practice due diligence to ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations. Understanding clients’ backgrounds is crucial to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and prevent involvement in financial crimes.
He emphasized that adherence to both international laws and professional ethics is essential. Compliance with legal standards helps prevent professional misconduct and ensures that legal fees are derived from legitimate sources. He warned that failure to follow these standards could lead to legal repercussions noting that lawyers are not immune from prosecution if they fail to meet these standards. He reaffirmed his commitment to tracing and questioning the proceeds of crime and emphasized that legal fees must not come from criminal activities.
In response, Yakubu Maikyau, President of the Association, clarified Olukoyede’s main points and encouraged lawyers to consider his message positively. Maikyau highlighted the important role of lawyers in combating corruption and supported collaboration between the NBA and the EFCC.