Bolaji Owasanoye, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has called on lawyers to work with law enforcement agencies to curb graft in the country.
Azuka Ogugua, ICPC spokesperson, said in a statement that Owasanoye spoke on Tuesday at the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The spokesperson said Owasanoye was part of a panel that discussed ethics and professional conduct of lawyers.
The ICPC boss commended Yakubu Maikyau, NBA president, for the initiative.
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“The session focused on the new NBA rules and guidelines on anti-money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as underlining the role of the legal profession in the fight against the vices,” the statement reads.
“According to the ICPC boss, it was inevitable that discussions on ethical conduct of legal practitioners be brought to the table due to the perceived lack of cooperation between legal practitioners and the anti-corruption agencies.
“While quoting Rule 74(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), he stated that it was mandatory for lawyers to report suspicious activities bordering on money laundering and related offences.
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“If you see something, say something. It is time to put practicable measures in place to walk the talk.
“He added that it was no longer okay for legal practitioners to turn a blind eye to the source of their client’s wealth and by extension their own legal fees.”
The ICPC boss added that lawyers have a duty to show care and concern when dealing with public officials and politically exposed persons.
He maintained that public interest must come first at all times and must supersede personal gain.
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“According to him, a watchlist exists in Nigeria and it remained the duty of lawyers to report their clients to the NBA anti-corruption unit which is obliged to forward such information to law enforcement agencies,” the statement adds.
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