The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said that large-scale financial fraud, particularly illicit financial flows, often involves the complicity of lawyers. He made the statement during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja.
The five-day event, themed “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship,” highlights critical issues in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Mr. Olukoyede emphasised that the transfer of massive funds to offshore accounts, particularly in tax havens, is frequently facilitated by legal practitioners.
While noting that the EFCC has successfully prosecuted some senior lawyers and judicial officers, the chairman reaffirmed his respect for the legal profession. He, however, urged the judiciary to address concerns about exorbitant legal fees earned by senior lawyers from political officeholders, particularly the methods of payment, which he said conflicts with existing laws.
The EFCC chairman reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between the legal community and anti-corruption agencies to combat systemic economic crimes and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.
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