Nigerian Bar Association Threatens Legal Action Against EFCC Chairman Over Allegations Against Lawyers
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that lawyers facilitate illicit financial flows to offshore accounts.
Olukoyede had claimed that significant financial fraud, such as the P&ID scam and the Mambilla Power Project, could not occur without the involvement of legal professionals. He accused lawyers of prioritising personal gain over national interest in such cases.
NBA’s Reaction
In response, the NBA President rebuked Olukoyede’s statements, describing them as baseless and harmful to the image of the legal profession. He challenged the EFCC Chairman to substantiate his allegations with credible evidence or retract his remarks. Osigwe emphasised the following key points:
- Demand for Evidence: “We challenge the EFCC Chairman to come up with empirical evidence, and if he cannot, he should never make such a statement again,” Osigwe stated.
- Criticism of Generalisation:
The NBA President condemned the sweeping generalisation of lawyers as accomplices in financial crimes, pointing out that only a negligible number of legal professionals have been prosecuted for such offences. - Recognition of Lawyers’ Role in Justice:
Osigwe reminded the EFCC Chairman that lawyers are instrumental in investigating and prosecuting cases, including those handled by the EFCC itself. He questioned whether Olukoyede’s comments implied that EFCC lawyers were also complicit in money laundering and terrorism financing. - Defence of the Legal Profession: “There may be a few bad eggs, but that does not represent the majority of lawyers who toil to build a reputation of integrity and professionalism,” Osigwe said, defending the broader legal community’s dedication to ethical practices.
- Threat of Legal Action:
The NBA warned that any further attempts to tarnish the image of the legal profession through unfounded claims would result in legal action to protect its reputation.
Broader Implications
Osigwe highlighted the damaging impact of Olukoyede’s statements, noting that such remarks could undermine public trust in the legal profession and discourage young lawyers from striving for excellence. He expressed hope that, with hindsight, the EFCC Chairman would recognise the inappropriateness of his comments.
Conclusion
The NBA remains committed to upholding the principles of justice and professionalism within the legal profession. It also seeks to ensure that the actions and words of public officials, such as the EFCC Chairman, are grounded in facts and fairness. The association reaffirmed its readiness to defend the integrity of its members and the legal profession as a whole.
