EFCC Warns Nigerian Lawyers Against Charging Clients in Dollars

(Chairman of EFCC Olanipekun Olukoyede. Photo by Nigeria Stories)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned lawyers against charging clients in foreign currencies, calling the practice illegal and unethical.

The EFCC's Lagos office disclosed that it is currently handling two cases involving lawyers who charged fees in dollars.

The agency said this violates Nigeria's legal tender laws and those found guilty will be prosecuted.

An EFCC official said the Commission doesn't want conflicts with the Nigerian Bar Association but warned that lawyers breaking the law would face legal action.

He also cautioned against lawyers falsely blaming the EFCC for inflated charges on clients.

While lawyers have the right to set their own fees, they should not drag the EFCC's name into their billing or engage in other unethical conduct, the official stressed.

The head of the NBA's Lagos Task Force, who visited the EFCC office, praised the agency for recently prosecuting and convicting a fake lawyer in a swift process.

He said the Bar Association was handling several cases of lawyer malpractice and wanted stronger collaboration with the EFCC to ensure offenders face justice.

An EFCC official urged the NBA to publicise cases of lawyers found guilty of professional misconduct so the public could identify and avoid them.

Another EFCC officer raised concerns about lawyers helping suspects obstruct investigations or forge documents for bail applications.