Ajirioghene Imah
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has charged legal practitioners and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to work with law enforcement agencies in curbing money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.
The ICPC boss gave this charge at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.
Owasanoye, while stating that there is a perceived lack of cooperation between legal practitioners and the anti-corruption agencies, quoted Rule 74(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), which states that it was mandatory for lawyers to report suspicious activities bordering on money laundering and related offences.
In his words, “If you see something, say something”.
He noted that lawyers have a duty to show care and concern when dealing with public officials and politically exposed persons, while maintaining that public interest must come first at all times and must supersede personal gain and stressed that it was no longer okay for legal practitioners to turn a blind eye, to the source of their client’s wealth and by extension their own legal fees.
Owasanoye therefore implored the leadership and members of the NBA to avoid shielding suspicious clients but rather use their disciplinary committee to work with law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of justice.
“It is time to put practicable measures in place to walk the talk”. He said