The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said that the judiciary needs to tackle the issue of senior lawyers charging “obscene legal fees” to those holding political positions.
Speaking during the opening of the 6th annual criminal law review conference in Abuja on Monday, Olukoyede remarked that how these lawyers accept such fees “clashes with existing statutes.”
“If a lawyer remains unconcerned about the origins from which a sitting governor or any public official compensates him with millions of naira for representation in the electoral tribunal, he must definitely be aware that the only legitimate way to receive such substantial amounts is through the financial system,” the EFCC chairman was quoted by NAN.
“Aside from violating money laundering regulations, hauling millions of naira of professional fees from public office holders in liquid cash as senior lawyers do is only aimed at tax evasion.
“It is needless to stress that the best act of mentoring from leaders of the bar to the younger generation of lawyers is by living out the ethical demands of the profession.”
The EFCC chairman also accused lawyers of facilitating illegal financial transfers to offshore accounts, adding that while the anti-corruption agency has prosecuted judges and senior lawyers and achieved convictions, he still holds high regard for the judiciary and the legal profession.
“The governance and discipline of legal practitioners, as well as the ethics, values, and standards of legal practice, are vital to me as the responsibility of the EFCC is to ensure that corruption does not penetrate our national fabric. And when it does, to hold the offenders accountable for their actions.” He said.
