The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, has cautioned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, against making sweeping allegations without concrete evidence.
Osigwe gave the charge on Monday in Abuja while responding to journalists at the unveiling of the logo and theme for the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference.
The EFCC chairman had alleged that Nigerian lawyers play a significant role in facilitating major financial frauds, including high-profile cases.
Responding, the NBA acknowledged that no profession is immune to ethical breaches but condemned the broad generalization of lawyers as primary enablers of financial crimes.
Osigwe emphasized that such generalizations risk undermining public confidence in the legal profession, which is critical to upholding justice and combating corruption.
“The Nigerian legal profession has a robust disciplinary mechanism through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), which investigates and prosecutes cases of misconduct,” Osigwe stated.
“We urge the EFCC Chairman to report any lawyer found complicit in financial crimes to the LPDC for appropriate action, rather than casting generalized aspersions on the entire legal profession.”
He noted that many lawyers within the EFCC and other justice sectors are at the forefront of combating financial crimes and securing justice for victims.
The NBA also called on the EFCC to ensure that allegations against any individuals, including legal practitioners, are backed by specific evidence and addressed through due process.
“Blanket accusations against an entire profession erode trust and distract from collaborative efforts needed to effectively tackle systemic corruption,” Osigwe added.
While unveiling the theme and logo for the 2025 conference Osigwe described the development as a milestone in the association’s efforts to redefine its role in the legal landscape.
According to him, the theme, “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” was presented as a rallying call for legal professionals to rise above mediocrity and uphold justice with courage and integrity.
“This theme challenges us to embrace excellence and innovation in an increasingly complex world. As lawyers, we must lead with clarity, creativity, and a deep commitment to justice,” Osigwe said.
The Chairman of the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN, highlighted the significance of the new logo.
“The logo reflects the dynamism and strength of our profession, our unity of purpose, and our shared vision to build a legal community that inspires confidence and trust,” Obegolu stated.
He assured members that the 2025 conference would be a transformative gathering, urging participants to embody the theme in their professional lives.
“Let us move forward with purpose and pride, ready to stand out and stand tall as pillars of justice and architects of a better society,” Obegolu said.
