Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on the National Assembly to pass legislation supporting the government’s whistle-blower policy.
Addressing attendees at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Olukoyede highlighted the need for legal reforms to mandate the protection of whistle-blowers by law enforcement agencies.
The conference, themed “Lawyers in the Spotlight: Essential Anti-Money Laundering Considerations for the Legal Profession,” provided a platform for Olukoyede to emphasize this point.
He urged lawyers to exercise thorough due diligence in their practice, stressing the importance of understanding their clients’ backgrounds to avoid breaching Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations. “Lawyers are expected to uphold a position of trust in their professional conduct. Compliance with international laws is crucial, but maintaining the integrity of the profession is equally important,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC chairman warned against protecting individuals suspected of financial crimes, urging lawyers to expose such persons if known. He explained that adhering to ethical practices would help avoid being placed on the grey list by international bodies.
Olukoyede underscored that lawyers must ensure their fees come from legitimate sources and reiterated that no professional should be immune from prosecution if found involved in illicit activities. “It is my responsibility to trace the proceeds of crime,” he stated. “If the trail leads to you, I will question you. Understanding your role in aiding or abetting crimes helps in assessing your level of culpability.”
In response, Yakubu Maikyau, President of the NBA, sought to clarify Olukoyede’s remarks and encouraged lawyers to approach his statements with an open mind.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the NBA and the EFCC in the fight against corruption, asserting that lawyers play a critical role in this battle. “Who better to lead the charge against corruption than us, as legal practitioners?” Maikyau asked.