He disclosed this while speaking at the second annual lecture of the Body of Benchers held in Abuja.
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that at least 100 senior lawyers are currently facing trial for corruption-related offenses.
He disclosed this while speaking at the second annual lecture of the Body of Benchers held in Abuja.
The event was attended by leading figures in the legal profession.
The EFCC chairman expressed concern over the growing involvement of lawyers in financial crimes.
He noted that the anti-graft agency had received multiple petitions against members of the profession.
“We have had calls to investigate quite a number of senior members of the Bar,” he said.
Olukoyede, a lawyer, added that investigations uncovered offences ranging from the diversion of clients’ funds to aiding money laundering.
“Before I came here, I checked our database and discovered that we have about 100 senior members of the Bar that we are prosecuting at the moment for those offences.
“It has become very necessary for us to work together,” he said.
Also, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) presented its 2025 report, highlighting sanctions imposed on erring lawyers.
Presenting the report, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) said 17 legal practitioners were punished after being found guilty of professional misconduct.
According to him, the affected lawyers were sanctioned for “infamous conduct in the course of the performance of their duties as legal practitioners.”
Ikpeazu said the penalties ranged from striking off to suspension.
“Three of the indicted practitioners had their names struck off the roll of legal practitioners,” he said.
“Three were suspended for five years, two were suspended for four years, five were suspended for three years, four were suspended for two years, while the last one was given a warning.”
Chairman of the Body of Benchers and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola, said the gathering was meant to reflect on the state of the legal profession and reinforce ethical standards.
“Our gathering today is not a jamboree. It is a time of reflection on our values, ethics and ethos as well as our resilience and faith in the institution,” Ariwoola said.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, emphasised the importance of regulation in sustaining the integrity of the legal profession.
She said the responsibilities of the Body of Benchers extend beyond admitting lawyers into the profession to maintaining discipline and preserving public confidence in the justice system.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
The Plight of the Masses; and the Thinking Behind the New Petrol Discount
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas By Idowu Ephraim Faleye +2348132100608 The removal of the petrol subsidy placed considerable economic pressure on Nigerians, particularly through rising transportation costs, food prices and the cost of doing business. While economic reforms may be necessary to address structural problems, their impact on ordinary citizens cannot be ignored. In response to these…
-
2027: NDC’s Gwarzo missing from INEC list of Kano guber candidates as INEC releases final candidates’ list
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission has sparked mixed reactions following the omission of prominent opposition figures, including a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; and the…
-
Why UK varsities are cancelling Nigerians’ admission — Report
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian students amid a surge in study visa application withdrawals and fears that stricter immigration rules could bar institutions from recruiting international students. By Okiki Adeduyite The Financial Times, in a report published on Saturday, said that 22.7 per cent of UK study visa applications from…
