The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned legal practitioners against charging clients in foreign currencies, threatening prosecution of lawyers found culpable.
The Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, gave the warning on Friday in Lagos when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law on a courtesy visit.
The delegation was led by its Head, Moshood Abiola.
Speaking during the interactive session, Kaltungo expressed concern over the activities of lawyers involved in “illegal and unethical practices,” stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable.
He urged legal practitioners to uphold the ethics and standards of the profession and avoid practices capable of undermining public confidence in the legal system.
Kaltungo said the EFCC remained committed to enforcing relevant laws and would take appropriate action where evidence established that a legal practitioner had engaged in unlawful conduct.
The Acting Zonal Director welcomed the engagement with the NBA task force and emphasised the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and professional bodies in addressing practices that violate the law.
He said stronger collaboration would promote compliance, professional accountability and better protection of members of the public from exploitative or unlawful practices.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the EFCC and the NBA task force to discuss issues surrounding illegal practice of law and areas requiring closer cooperation between the Commission and the legal profession.
Kaltungo reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to supporting lawful professional practice while taking appropriate action against individuals found to have violated the law.
He urged legal practitioners to conduct their affairs in accordance with applicable laws and the ethical standards governing the profession.
