NBA President Seeks Clarity on Foreign-Currency Legal Fees at EFCC

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration between the legal profession and law-enforcement agencies to promote the rule of law and strengthen the administration of justice.

Badejo-Okusanya made the call in Abuja when she led a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association on a courtesy visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, where she met the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and members of the Commission’s management team.

A major issue discussed during the meeting was the recent controversy over the payment of legal professional fees in foreign currency. The NBA President sought clarification from the Commission, noting that the issue had implications for legal practitioners and the wider justice system.

Responding, Olukoyede said he remained the Commission’s official policy spokesman and explained that comments attributed to the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate on lawyers charging professional fees in foreign currency should not be regarded as the general policy position of the Commission.

According to the EFCC, the Lagos Zonal Director’s comments had been taken out of context.

The EFCC Chairman also assured the NBA delegation that the Commission would continue to operate transparently and within the law, while acknowledging concerns about media trials and overzealous conduct by some personnel.

He stressed the need for professionalism and respect for due process in the Commission’s operations.

Badejo-Okusanya said the engagement demonstrated the importance of maintaining constructive relations between lawyers and law-enforcement institutions through mutual respect, clear communication and fidelity to the law.

She said the NBA would continue to engage institutions whose activities affect the practice of law and protection of rights, stressing that a strong and independent Bar must be prepared to ask difficult questions while building partnerships that advance justice and the rule of law.

The NBA President also commended the EFCC’s investigation, prosecution and asset-recovery efforts, saying the impact of the Commission’s work could be seen, felt and heard.

She further acknowledged the EFCC’s contribution, alongside other agencies, to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

The visit concluded with a tour of EFCC Radio 97.3, an initiative of the Commission aimed at educating the public on economic and financial crimes and helping to prevent their commission.

Badejo-Okusanya commended the initiative and participated in an impromptu live interview.