The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged legal practitioners across Nigeria to uphold integrity and moral values in their practice.
He cautioned that lawyers must never allow themselves to become tools for money laundering or other corrupt activities.
Dr Aliyu gave the charge while addressing members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, during their monthly meeting held on Friday, 26th September 2025, at the Sharia Court of Appeal, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The ICPC Chairman, who previously served as Vice Chairman of the NBA Kano Branch, recalled that he had long promised to attend the branch meeting to strengthen ties between the Commission and the NBA.
Aliyu explained that he deliberately began this engagement with the Gwagwalada Branch after learning from its chairman that the branch was home to intellectually vibrant lawyers.
Speaking on the theme “The Legal Practitioner as Gatekeeper: Upholding Professional Ethics to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering,” Dr Aliyu highlighted the strategic role of lawyers in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and global reputation. He noted that sections 6(e) and 6(f) of the ICPC Act empower the Commission to combat corruption through enlightenment and advocacy.
Reflecting on the 2023 amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), in which he played an active role, Dr Aliyu raised the question of how Nigeria could strengthen credibility while also protecting lawyers from exploitation by money launderers.
He described lawyers as “gatekeepers” whose responsibility goes beyond representation to advising clients and shielding the economy from illicit financial flows.
“Dirty money, whether laundered into society or stashed away for future use, poses a huge challenge across Nigeria, Africa, and the globe,” he said, stressing that Section 15 of the Constitution obligates every Nigerian to work towards abolishing corrupt practices and abuse of office.
Dr Aliyu cautioned that alleged money launderers often attempt to use lawyers and their chambers as cover to “clean” illicit funds. He warned that even members of outlawed organisations may approach lawyers for such purposes, exposing them to grave professional risks.
Citing the 2022 Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the ICPC Act, 2000, he urged lawyers to practice strict client due diligence: “Know your client. Protect yourself with knowledge of both your profession and those you represent. Intellectual vigilance is crucial to discerning integrity.”
He reminded members that Rules 71 and 72 of the RPC, 2023, impose obligations on lawyers to avoid complicity in money laundering, adding that the ICPC would not hesitate to discharge its responsibility to investigate any petitions involving a lawyer found to be aiding corruption.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Dr Aliyu narrated how a lawyer, despite personal risks, refused to compromise integrity and pursued a matter up to the Supreme Court to prevent a dangerous precedent. Such discipline, he said, should inspire practitioners to prioritise ethics above profit.
“Reputation is a lawyer’s most valuable asset. Once destroyed, the damage is irreversible. The digital world of 2025 never forgets,” he warned.
He emphasised that reputational damage, loss of license, and disbarment remain grave consequences of aiding illegality, urging Senior lawyers in the profession to continually lead by example.
“Everyone will account for his or her actions, and this is what drives my fight against corruption,” Dr Aliyu declared, reaffirming that the Commission remains committed to handling cases fairly and without prejudice in pursuit of a corruption-free Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman of NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Mr Clever Owoh, thanked Dr Aliyu for honouring the branch’s invitation, noting that the engagement would go a long way in deepening collaboration between the NBA and the ICPC.
