The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned lawyers against charging clients in foreign currencies, describing the practice as “illegal and unethical”.
Bawa Kaltungo, acting director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, issued the warning on Saturday, September 11, when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law.
The delegation was led by Moshood Abiola, head of the task force.
Kaltungo said the commission was concerned about lawyers allegedly engaging in illegal and unethical practices, warning that those found culpable would be prosecuted.
He disclosed that the EFCC was currently handling two cases involving lawyers accused of charging their clients in foreign currencies.
“We usually don’t want to have issues with members of the NBA. However, some lawyers are pushing us. Any lawyer we find culpable of charging clients in foreign currencies will be prosecuted,” Kaltungo said.
EFCC name-dropping
The EFCC official also cautioned lawyers against using the commission’s name to impose excessive charges on clients.
While acknowledging that lawyers have the right to determine their professional fees, Kaltungo warned against falsely claiming that fees demanded from clients were required by the EFCC.
“Also, lawyers should stop name-dropping the EFCC to overcharge their clients,” he added.
NBA seeks stronger EFCC collaboration
Abiola said the NBA task force was seeking stronger collaboration with the EFCC to tackle alleged malpractice among lawyers.
He said the task force was handling multiple cases involving lawyers accused of professional misconduct.
“We appreciate the EFCC for the recent prosecution of a fake lawyer. It was swift, and we are glad that the EFCC was able to get the court to convict him,” he said.
Abiola added that the task force recently encountered a case involving a lawyer allegedly engaged in malpractice and wanted closer cooperation with the EFCC to ensure such cases were prosecuted.
“We have several cases like that, and we would like to strengthen our collaboration with the EFCC so that these individuals can be prosecuted and made to face the law.”
EFCC asks NBA to publish sanctioned lawyers
Orhieoghene Adewunmi, assistant commander in the EFCC’s Department of Legal and Prosecution, urged the NBA to publish the names of lawyers found culpable of unethical practices.
According to Adewunmi, making such information public would help members of the public identify practitioners sanctioned for professional misconduct and avoid engaging their services.
