The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has charged female lawyers in the country to join hands with the Commission in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
He gave the charge on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in a one-day training of members of the Women Forum of the NBA, NBAWF, Abuja branch, with the theme: “Mastering SCUML Registration and AML/CFT Compliance Training for Legal Practitioners.”
Olukoyede, who was represented by the Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE, Samu Pascal, encouraged the female lawyers to consistently ensure the protection of the legal profession and national interest while fulfilling their duties as lawyers.
In prioritising the safety of the country, he urged them to guard against making themselves and their services available for money laundering and terrorist financing but rather utilise their platform to enhance the application of the framework for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering Proliferation Financing, AML/CFT/CPF in the country.
“Today’s engagement reflects the strong partnership between SCUML and the legal profession in strengthening Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering Proliferation Financing, AML/CFT/CPF, framework. As legal practitioners, your role extends beyond providing legal services. You also serve as gatekeepers of the financial system, helping to prevent the misuse of legal services for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation,” he said.
Olukoyede, who also disclosed that the training was aimed at improving lawyers’ comprehension of their responsibilities under the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2002, along with AML/CFT/CPF regulations, stated that the training presented a valuable opportunity to tackle practical compliance issues, insights on emerging trends and typologies, and enhance cooperation between the EFCC’s SCUML and the legal community.
“Your contributions will help us develop practical solutions that support compliance while maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics,” he said.
In her remarks, Hadiza Afegbua, leader of NBAWF, Abuja Chapter, expressed gratitude to the EFCC for providing the Forum members the opportunity to receive direct training on AML/CFT/CPF frameworks.
She noted that legal practitioners play distinctive roles in upholding the rule of law and in safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s financial system, adding that as professionals, they would ensure that the legal profession is not misused for money laundering and terrorist financing.
“I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the SCUML team for partnering with the NBA Women Forum, FCT Abuja Chapter, and for their willingness to share their expertise with us,” she said.
In her paper titled: “Lawyers, Compliance, and National Security: Understanding AML/CFT, Equipping Nigerian Legal Practitioners for Regulatory Excellence,” Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 11 Korede Abdulaziz, urged the female lawyers to consistently recognise their responsibilities as gatekeepers and familiarise themselves with the 2022 AML/CFT legal framework.
She emphasised the importance of their consistent conduct of Customer Due Diligence (CDD and identifying Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). She also highlighted the need for them to navigate the complexities of Legal Professional Privilege alongside reporting obligations and urged them to adopt a risk-based approach in their organisations.
