Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that more than 100 senior lawyers are currently being prosecuted for corruption-related offences in Nigeria.
Olukoyede made the disclosure in Abuja during the second annual lecture organised by the Body of Benchers, an event attended by prominent figures in the legal profession.
The EFCC boss expressed concern over what he described as the growing involvement of lawyers in financial crimes. According to him, the anti-graft agency has received several petitions against members of the legal profession, prompting multiple investigations.
“We have had calls to investigate quite a number of senior members of the Bar,” he said.
Olukoyede, who is also a lawyer, explained that the offences uncovered during investigations include diversion of clients’ funds and involvement in money laundering activities.
“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,” he added, noting that stronger collaboration is needed to tackle the problem.
At the event, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee also presented its 2025 report on disciplinary actions taken against erring lawyers.
Presenting the report, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) said 17 legal practitioners were sanctioned after being found guilty of professional misconduct.
According to him, the punishments ranged from suspension to removal from the roll of legal practitioners.
“Three of the indicted practitioners had their names struck off the roll of legal practitioners,” Ikpeazu said.
He added that three lawyers were suspended for five years, two for four years, five for three years, and four for two years, while one practitioner received 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 current 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,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, stressed the importance of proper regulation in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.
She noted that the responsibilities of the Body of Benchers go beyond admitting lawyers into the profession, adding that the body must also ensure discipline and uphold public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
Participants at the lecture emphasised that strengthening ethics, discipline, and professionalism within the legal profession remains essential to restoring public trust in the country’s justice system.
