EFCC urges NASS to enact whistle-blowing law

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Assembly to enact a law that supports the whistle-blower policy of the Federal Government.

Olukoyede said this on Tuesday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is “Lawyers in the spotlight: Essential anti-money laundering considerations for the legal profession”.

According to Olukoyede, once the law is enacted, it will make it mandatory for law enforcement agencies to protect whistle-blowers.

During a town hall meeting organized by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), held on July 27, 2023, then Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol had called for the reform of the Whistleblowing Policy to offer more protection and guarantees of compensation to whistleblowers due to the dangers which they are exposed to.

Olukoyede also called on lawyers in the country to always observe due diligence in their practices because it is important for them to know the background of their clients so as not to run foul of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations.

“As lawyers, we are supposed to hold a position of trust in our professional conduct. While we try to comply with international laws and regulations, we should also do what is right for ourselves to protect the sanctity of our profession, which is very key,” Olukoyede said.

“Don’t try to protect suspected criminals, people who must have committed financial crimes. So, if you know who we are looking for, you must bring that person to the open and we will do our part.

“Doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily come from the way of international conventions. If you do the right things, they will automatically take you out of the grey list.

“It is expedient on you to, at least, know who your client is. You are expected to be paid from a legitimate source.

“If you are a victim of crimes, you will understand what I am saying. As lawyers, you must not, in any way, derogate or demean your professional commitment to your clients.

“Even a part of the money laundering Act that we have evaluated doesn’t stop me from enforcing the regulations of the EFCC Act and other financial laws in Nigeria.”

The EFCC boss said he must trace the proceeds of crimes and if traced to a lawyer, he or she will be invited for questioning.

“I mean, why do we talk about aiding and abetting crimes? Why do we have accessories before and after the fact? Knowing this will assist me in determining your level of culpability or otherwise,” he said.

“We are not saying you are not entitled to your pay, but what we are saying is that the money that comes to you must not be proceeds of crimes.”