There are ongoing renewed efforts to remove Nigeria from the European Union’s (EU) high-risk list for money laundering and terrorism financing, with key stakeholders intensifying lobbying to clean up the country’s image.
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in collaboration with the EU and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is working towards addressing the concerns that led to Nigeria’s designation as a high-risk jurisdiction.
Already, Nigeria is designated as one of the high-risk areas for money laundering and terrorism financing.
The Anti-corruption Programme Manager of the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Programme (RoLAC-Phase II) of International IDEA, Dr. Emmanuel Uche, disclosed this at a two-day sensitisation event on the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Abuja.
Uche said the main essence of the workshop was to get lawyers on board to get Nigeria off the grey list of the Global Financial Action Task Force.
According to him, the task force is the global body that monitors financial transactions and the financial risks inherent in different jurisdictions.
He said, “The last evaluations of Nigeria’s risk clearly say Nigeria is one of the high-risk areas for money laundering, funding of terrorism, and proliferation of small arms, which underscores the challenges Nigeria is currently facing today. Therefore, they’ve made a handful of recommendations necessary to get Nigeria out of that high-level vulnerability to these risks.
“While those risks persist and Nigeria remains on this grey list, there will be very limited confidence in Nigeria’s ability to participate with other global countries that mean well. That’s why you will be surprised when you want to use your debit card on an international website, and it is not recognised.
“Other jurisdictions don’t honour our financial instruments because they think working with us exposes them to the same risks of money laundering, terrorism financing, and all that you see with kidnapping and proliferation of small arms.”
NBA president, Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the ability of lawyers to adhere to the highest ethical standards in providing services to the people is very important.
He said, “Even if it’s one lawyer that runs foul of our Rules of Professional Conduct, it worries us.
“While we may not achieve 100 per cent compliance level, we want to instil confidence in the public that we are interested in ensuring that members of the public adhere to the highest standard.
“We will also ensure that those who violate the Rules of Professional Conduct are brought to book because that’s the only way we can show society that we have the capacity and the willingness to weed out those who give us a bad name.”
Head of Programme, RoLAC II, International IDEA, Danladi Plang, noted that the importance of seeking to increase transparency and accountability of anti-corruption systems and reforms cannot be overemphasised, noting that it is regarded as fundamental to sustaining a democratic system of government.
Plang, who was represented by the State Project Coordinator, Abia State, RoLAC, Peter Omenka, said the democratic system of governance comprises a network of interdependent actors and the performance of each actor is affected by the performance of others.
He stated, “Within the system, legal practitioners are recognised to generally work to support progressive ideals, whereby lawyers are expected to be sensitive and create a process through which democracy can flourish.
“It is relatively fair to acknowledge the unique role that lawyers play in the protection of the rule of law within a limited sphere. The legal profession is often regarded as a catalyst for progressive reforms within the legal and societal frameworks of a nation. Legal professionals serve as the architects of the legal system, playing a pivotal role in refining and sustaining the democratic structures of governance.”
Uche lamented that issues such as misrepresentation of facts, fraud, exploitation of legal loopholes, deceit, and intimidation have marred the integrity of the legal profession.
According to him, unethical practices pose a significant threat to the legal system and must be addressed before they undermine its foundation.
“Over the years, there has been an increasing societal focus on the ethical conduct of legal professionals, emphasising the protection of individuals, clients, the courts, fellow practitioners, and the legal profession itself.”
According to him, the growing concern underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in law. In response to this, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Chairman of the General Council of the Bar undertook a review of the Rules of Professional Conduct (2007), aiming to address global malpractice concerns and to ensure that the conduct of legal professionals reflects the highest ethical standards.
He added, “Every society influences its ethical disciplinary culture, and ensuring fairness and consistency in a disciplinary procedure promotes progressive societal values for the public. It fosters positive cultures, encourages a fair and transparent approach to societal goals, and promotes confidence and trust. What remains unenforceable and has limited the discipline of erring lawyers is the disciplinary procedure, and this gap within the legal community remains a major challenge for the noble profession.”
Earlier, the Communications Officer, International IDEA, Murkthar Suleiman, in a media advisory, said the two-day national sensitisation event, scheduled to take place in Abuja, will serve as a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, with participants from all 130 NBA branches, including branch chairpersons and leaders of the Young Lawyers’ Forum.
He said, “Following the training, these representatives will be required to conduct step-down training sessions for their respective members, ensuring a nationwide dissemination of the revised professional guidelines.”
According to him, the training aligns with ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in Nigeria’s legal sector.
“The NBA and legal practitioners are expected to play a critical role in upholding professional ethics, ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process, and reinforcing public confidence in the legal system,” Suleiman added.