The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Assembly to pass a law supporting the government’s whistle-blower policy.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos, Olukoyede emphasized that such legislation would mandate law enforcement agencies to protect whistle-blowers.
He also urged lawyers to exercise due diligence in their practices, stressing the importance of knowing their clients’ backgrounds to avoid violating Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations.
Olukoyede highlighted the role of lawyers in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession, advising them not to shield individuals involved in financial crimes.
Furthermore, Olukoyede warned that lawyers could face prosecution if they failed to comply with financial laws, emphasizing that the EFCC is committed to tracing the proceeds of crimes.
In response, NBA President,Yakubu Maikyau, encouraged lawyers to take Olukoyede’s advice seriously, stating that the legal profession should lead the fight against corruption.
