Abuja: The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has asserted that no significant financial fraud, especially those involving illicit financial flows, can occur without the support of lawyers. Olukoyede made this statement at the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the five-day event is titled ‘Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship.’ Olukoyede highlighted that the transfer of large sums into offshore accounts, particularly in tax havens, is often facilitated by legal professionals. He described a troubling discovery by the EFCC, wherein some lawyers prioritized personal gain over national interest, aiding foreign investors in dubious dealings that drained national resources.
Olukoyede cited specific instances such as the P and ID scam, the Mambilla Power Project, and Sunrise issues as exa
mples of fraudulent activities enabled by legal practitioners. Despite the EFCC’s successes in prosecuting and securing convictions against judicial officers and senior lawyers, Olukoyede maintained his respect for the judiciary and the legal profession’s senior members.
He emphasized the need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s justice delivery system, focusing on the discipline and regulation of judicial officers and legal practitioners, as well as the ethical standards of legal practice. Olukoyede urged the judiciary to tackle the issue of exorbitant legal fees charged by senior lawyers, especially from political office holders, and the methods of fee collection that often conflict with statutory regulations.
Furthermore, Olukoyede criticized the practice of receiving professional fees from public office holders in cash, highlighting how it contravenes money laundering laws and facilitates tax evasion. He stressed that senior lawyers should set ethical examples for the younger generation by adhering to the
profession’s ethical standards.
Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, spoke about the nation’s critical juncture due to insecurity and economic challenges. Represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abubakar Baba-Doko, Fagbemi reiterated the government’s commitment to reforming and strengthening the criminal justice system under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
Justice B.B. Kanyip, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, acknowledged the significance of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, in enhancing justice delivery in Nigeria. Represented by Justice Olufunke Anuwe, Kanyip noted that while the ACJA has improved efficiency in criminal trials and decongested correctional centers, insecurity and economic hardship threaten its implementation.
Mr. Joseph Daudu, Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation and organizer of the event, explained that the Criminal Law Review Conference serves as
an annual platform for reviewing developments in crime apprehension, prosecution, and justice delivery.
The conference, being held in Abuja, also operates virtually, accommodating participants from various locations within Nigeria and internationally.