The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned legal practitioners across the country against the illegal and unethical practice of charging clients in foreign currencies, particularly dollars.
The warning was issued on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Lagos by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola, on a courtesy visit.
Kaltungo expressed concern over the activities of lawyers allegedly involved in illegal and unethical practices, stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute legal practitioners found culpable. He disclosed that the Directorate was currently handling two cases involving lawyers accused of charging their clients in foreign currencies.
“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,” Kaltungo said, adding that lawyers found culpable of the practice would face prosecution.
The EFCC official also cautioned lawyers against using the name of the Commission to impose excessive charges on clients. While acknowledging that legal practitioners have the right to determine their professional fees, he warned them against falsely claiming that fees demanded from clients were required by the EFCC.
Earlier, Abiola commended the EFCC for the recent prosecution and conviction of a fake lawyer, describing the process as “swift and reassuring.” He said the NBA Task Force had several cases involving alleged professional malpractice and called for stronger collaboration with the Commission to ensure practitioners involved in criminal conduct were brought to justice.
Also speaking, ACE I Orhieoghene Adewunmi of the Department of Legal and Prosecution, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, urged the NBA to ensure appropriate publicity was given to lawyers found culpable of unethical practices. She said such publications would help members of the public identify sanctioned practitioners and avoid engaging their services.
In a related development, ACE II Henry Anasoh of the Department of Legal and Prosecution raised concerns over alleged practices by some lawyers who assist suspects in obstructing investigations or frustrating the administration of justice. He cited instances where lawyers allegedly helped clients forge documents for bail purposes, including purported medical records presented in support of bail applications, stressing the need for stronger professional and legal accountability.
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
