The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned Nigerian lawyers against charging clients for legal services in foreign currencies, particularly US dollars.
The anti-graft agency described the practice as illegal and unethical, warning that lawyers found culpable could face prosecution.
The warning was issued by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law.
Kaltungo disclosed that the commission was already handling two cases involving lawyers accused of charging clients in dollars.
EFCC Threatens Prosecution
According to Kaltungo, legal practitioners found charging clients in foreign currencies would be prosecuted.
He explained that the naira remains Nigeria’s legal tender and described the practice of demanding professional fees in dollars as contrary to the law and professional ethics.
The EFCC official said the commission generally seeks to avoid unnecessary disputes with members of the legal profession but would take action against practitioners found violating the law.
Lawyers Cautioned Against Using EFCC Name
Kaltungo also warned lawyers against invoking the name of the EFCC when demanding high professional fees from clients.
He acknowledged that lawyers have the right to determine their professional charges but said practitioners should not falsely suggest that fees imposed on clients were demanded by or connected to the EFCC.
The warning comes amid efforts by the anti-graft agency and the NBA to address alleged professional misconduct within the legal profession.
NBA Seeks Stronger EFCC Collaboration
The Head of the NBA Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, Moshood Abiola, welcomed the EFCC’s intervention and called for stronger cooperation between both organisations.
Abiola said the task force was handling several complaints involving alleged malpractice by legal practitioners and wanted cases that amounted to criminal conduct to be properly investigated and prosecuted.
He also commended the EFCC for its recent prosecution and conviction of an individual accused of practising law without being a qualified lawyer.
EFCC Raises Other Concerns
Other EFCC officials at the meeting raised concerns over alleged practices that could obstruct investigations or the administration of justice.
Orhieoghene Adewunmi of the commission’s Department of Legal and Prosecution urged the NBA to publicise the names of lawyers sanctioned for professional misconduct.
She said such information would help members of the public identify practitioners who had been disciplined.
Another EFCC official, Henry Anasoh, alleged that some lawyers had assisted suspects in frustrating investigations, including cases involving allegedly forged documents used in bail applications.
He also raised concerns over legal actions that, according to him, were sometimes used to hinder investigations or prosecutions.
The EFCC and NBA said stronger cooperation would help address criminal and professional misconduct while protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
Source: WestNG / EFCC
