The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has threatened to prosecute lawyers charging clients in foreign currencies.
The anti-graft agency made the disclosure during a courtesy visit of a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) delegation to the EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zone.
The Zonal Director, Bawa Usman Kaltungo argued that several legal practitioners in Nigeria involve themselves in illegal and unethical practices. According to him, these acts include charging clients in foreign currencies.
Kaltungo expressed concern over the activities of lawyers who engage in illegal and unethical practices, stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable.
He stated that;
“We have two cases of lawyers who were found to have charged fees in dollars. This is unethical and illegal, as the Naira is the country’s legal tender.”
The Acting EFCC Zonal Director noted that the agency doesn’t usually want issues with NBA members. However, some lawyers have begun “pushing” them [the EFCC].
Kaltungo also warned lawyers against name-dropping the agency to impose excessive charges on clients.
