ICPC Boss Advises Lawyers on Working With Law Enforcement Agencies

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has called on legal practitioners and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to work in tandem with law enforcement agencies to curb money laundering and terrorism financing.

The ICPC Spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, in a statement, said that the ICPC boss made this call at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.

Prof. Owasanoye, who was part of a panel of discussion on ethics and professional conduct of lawyers, commended the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau and its leadership for the initiative shown in discussing pertinent matters.

“The session focused on the new NBA rules and guidelines on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, as well as underlining the role of the legal profession in the fight against the vices,” he noted.

According to the ICPC boss, it was inevitable that discussions on ethical conduct of legal practitioners be brought to the table due to the perceived lack of cooperation between legal practitioners and the anti-corruption agencies.

While quoting Rule 74(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), he stated 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 added 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.