The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Dr. Emmanuel Shotande, has expressed concerns regarding lawyers allegedly aiding criminals in investing and concealing the proceeds of their illegal activities.
Addressing a workshop organized by the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja, Shotande questioned the accountability of certain lawyers, highlighting cases where they facilitate the purchase of real estate by criminal clients to launder or hide illicit gains.
Shotande urged lawyers to exercise vigilance, particularly when dealing with politically exposed individuals, cautioning against assisting them in covering up their unlawful actions. He advocated for collaboration among the NBA, NFIU, and the EFCC to combat such practices effectively.
During the event, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) stressed the importance of lawyers adhering to the NBA’s anti-money laundering guidelines and rules of professional conduct in financial and money laundering matters.
He charged lawyers with taking a leading role in the fight against corruption, given the unique responsibility conferred upon their profession. Maikyau emphasized the necessity for collaboration, noting that lawyers are well-placed to guide and direct efforts in compliance with the law.
Furthermore, he highlighted the broader implications for the nation, asserting that lawyers must be proactive in addressing them. Maikyau underscored the NBA’s commitment to self-regulation in combating corruption and emphasized the importance of collaboration with other entities entrusted with similar responsibilities under the law.
