Gift Wada
In an effort to remove Nigeria from the Global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has partnered with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and the proliferation of small arms.
Over 300 lawyers gathered in Abuja on Monday for a two-day sensitization program on the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, organized under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC-Phase II), with support from the European Union.
Dr. Emmanuel Uche, Anti-Corruption Programme Manager of RoLAC-Phase II, said the program aims to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and financial systems to regain international trust and remove the country from its current high-risk designation.
He said FATF’s last evaluation highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerabilities.
“Remaining on the grey list limits our global financial participation,”he warned. “It affects international transactions, foreign investments, and even simple activities like using Nigerian debit cards on global platforms.”
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, emphasized the crucial role of ethical standards in legal practice, stating that lawyers must uphold the highest level of professionalism in serving the public.
“Even one lawyer violating our Rules of Professional Conduct is a cause for concern,” he stressed.
He said, “While we may not achieve 100 percent compliance, we want to instill confidence in the public that we are interested in ensuring that members of the public adhere to the highest standards. We will also ensure that those who violate the Rules of Professional Conduct are brought to book because that’s the only way we can show society that we have the capacity and willingness to weed out those who give us a bad name.”
Meanwhile Danladi Plang, Head, Programme, RoLAC II, stressed on the need for transparency and accountability in anti-corruption reforms. He said the legal system” plays a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Plang, who was represented by the State Project Coordinator, Abia State, RoLAC II, Mr. Peter Omenka, said the democratic system of governance comprises a network of interdependent actors, and the performance of each actor is affected by the performance of others.
He said, “It is relatively fair to acknowledge the unique role that lawyers play in the protection of the rule of law within a limited sphere.
“The legal profession is often regarded as a catalyst for progressive reforms within the legal and societal frameworks of a nation. Legal professionals serve as the architects of the legal system, playing a pivotal role in refining and sustaining the democratic structures of governance.”