NBA seeks partnership with ICPC on money laundering, terrorism financing training

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Bar Association have partner to train and sensitize NBA members to enhance their capacity in dealing with the menace of money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria.

The idea of partnership between the two bodies was brokered when the President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, and some members of his team paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

The NBA President stated that the purpose of his visit was seek the support of the Commission in the area of training and sensitization of its members on the implementation of the Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing as contained in the rules of Professional Conduct of the Association.

He said, “When we came on board, we decided that we must demonstrate good faith in the fight against corruption, and not just to pay lip service. So, we took the Anti-money laundering guidelines and also the guidelines on counter-terrorism financing and made them part of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the NBA. With the help of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, it was issued at the General Council of the Bar and it became part of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the lawyers”.

Maikyau further revealed that singular action implied that, “every legal practitioner now by the rules that guide their professional conduct, is obligated to satisfy the requirements in the Rules of Professional Conduct in dealing with their clients on the risk assessment basis”.

He then told his host that after the amendment was passed in 2023, the Association realized that there were challenges in terms of sensitization and implementation of the guidelines, adding that it thought that those who were expected to be regulated by the guidelines should understand all that it is about and how to apply the rules in their professional practices.

The NBA President stated that even though the rules of professional conduct were issued in June 2023, it was meant to come into effect in January 2024 but attributed the delay in its implementation to the change of leadership of the major Anti-corruption agencies in the country – the CBN, ICPC, and EFCC, including the change in government.

In his response, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN expressed appreciation to the NBA President and his team for finding time to visit the Commission, stating that the two bodies had enjoyed a close relationship over the years.

Aliyu applauded Maikyau for his doggedness in pushing for the inclusion of the guidelines of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing guidelines into the Rules of Professional Conduct of the NBA. This, according to him, was a major step that could help the anti-graft agencies in tackling Money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.

He said, “Nigeria is a country having wonderful people with integrity. Although we have people who promote corruption, some people are willing and ready, like the way you have demonstrated, to partner us in tackling the menace.”