The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned lawyers across Nigeria against charging clients in foreign currencies, describing the practice as illegal and unethical.
The warning was issued by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, during an engagement with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law.
The NBA delegation, led by the task force’s head, Moshood Abiola, visited the EFCC as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in tackling unlawful practices within the legal profession.
Kaltungo expressed concern over activities by some legal practitioners that allegedly contravene existing laws and professional standards. He specifically urged lawyers to stop demanding payment from clients in dollars and other foreign currencies for their services.
The EFCC official stressed that being a member of the legal profession does not exempt anyone from accountability where there is evidence of unlawful conduct.
He warned that lawyers found engaging in practices considered illegal could be investigated and prosecuted by the commission.
The meeting also focused on the need for stronger collaboration between the EFCC and the NBA in addressing illegal practices and promoting compliance within the profession.
The latest warning forms part of the EFCC’s broader efforts to discourage the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions in Nigeria. The commission has previously cautioned businesses and other service providers against pricing or demanding payment for local transactions in dollars and other foreign currencies.
The EFCC urged legal practitioners to ensure that their dealings with clients comply with Nigerian laws and relevant professional regulations.
The commission’s latest position places lawyers who continue to charge clients in foreign currencies on notice that they could face enforcement action where such conduct violates applicable laws.
The development comes amid increased scrutiny of financial transactions by Nigerian authorities as they seek to strengthen compliance and curb practices that could undermine the country’s financial system.
