Chief Femi Falana, a renowned attorney and human rights activist, has recommended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute all lawyers implicated in money laundering.
In response to a recent statement made by Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the EFCC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana gave the counsel to Newsmen.
Bawa has sworn to shine a searchlight on those who committed financial crimes, including attorneys.
NAN reports that the EFCC director spoke in Lagos at a one-day workshop on reporting about financial crimes organized by the commission for journalists.
During the workshop, Bawa stated that it would no longer be business as usual for politicians who launder money through their attorneys, accountants, precious stone dealers, and other specified non-financial businesses and professions.
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As a result, he intimated that the anti-corruption agency intended to “go after” individuals helping such financial crimes by intensifying its investigation through its Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) in accordance with the Money Laundering Act of 2022.
Falana, who characterized the remark as merely an allegation, added that such substantial allegations must be supported by convincing proof.
“As a senior lawyer, I deal with evidence; if the EFCC alleges that lawyers are involved in money laundering, with profound respect, it should take such lawyer to court.
“This is because, in other parts of the world, lawyers and other professionals are called gatekeepers and the law deals with them severely; the law is the same in Nigeria.
“So, if the EFCC chairman has his evidence, (and I know he has his evidence), then his duty is to charge such lawyers before the court, so that the menace of money laundering can be seriously tackled .
“I am not talking of lawyers alone; the usual gatekeepers are lawyers, accountants, bankers and estate agents.
“I am not unaware that the EFCC has had cause to charge gatekeepers including lawyers to court for money laundering.
“Some are standing trial, some have been tried, and so, where there is evidence linking lawyers with money laundering, such lawyer should be charged before the court,” he said.
Falana stated that, as gatekeepers, legal practitioners must distance themselves from such financial crimes and uphold the values of the positions they hold.
Recall that Bawa said during the workshop that, as of October 7, the commission has secured over 2,701 convictions for money laundering, an increase from the 2,220 convictions recorded in 2021.
