The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for enhanced collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat corruption and unethical conduct among legal practitioners and security operatives.
The appeal was made on February 23, 2026, when members of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the NBA Lagos Branch paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorates 1 and 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Adebayo Adeniyi, and ACE I Usman Bawa Kaltungo.
Speaking during the interactive session, Chairman of the Committee, Udochi Iheanacho, SAN, said the visit was aimed at strengthening existing collaboration between the NBA Lagos Branch and the Commission, while also establishing a structured framework for addressing unethical practices among lawyers and EFCC investigators.
She disclosed that all NBA branches nationwide had been mandated to establish anti-corruption committees in response to what she described as a growing erosion of public trust in the legal profession and security institutions.
“This Committee is one of several set up across NBA branches nationwide. We have a National Anti-Corruption Committee, and we are working in synergy,” she said.
According to her, corruption remains deeply entrenched in the country, and in many cases, the public lacks clarity on what constitutes corrupt practices.
“When misconduct becomes normalized and culturally entrenched, addressing it requires more than enforcement. It demands sustained education and reorientation,” she added.
Iheanacho emphasized the need for practical collaboration, particularly in the areas of sensitisation, training and joint workshops. She noted that where issues identified by the NBA fall within the EFCC’s jurisdiction, they should be formally referred for investigation and appropriate action.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Uchenna Ogunedo-Akingbade, highlighted the complementary roles of other committees within the branch, including the Human Rights Committee and the Security Agencies’ Relations Committee. She said these bodies would also engage with the EFCC to promote ethical standards and awareness of the consequences of corruption among lawyers and security personnel.
“It is important that we intensify the fight against corruption, irrespective of the personalities involved,” she said.
Responding, Adeniyi and Kaltungo expressed appreciation for the visit and assured the delegation of the Commission’s willingness to collaborate. They described the NBA as a strategic partner in the anti-graft campaign.
“Our doors are always open. We are public servants, not public masters. Where support is required, we will provide it,” they stated, adding that the Commission maintains a cordial working relationship with members of the Bar and continually reminds its officers to respect lawyers and suspects in the course of investigations.
While acknowledging that occasional disagreements may arise in the discharge of professional duties, they stressed that the EFCC does not trivialize the role of legal practitioners and remains open to resolving concerns through dialogue.
In her remarks, the Head of Legal, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC Ikoyi, Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Deborah Adamu-Eteh, urged the NBA leadership to address instances of unprofessional conduct by some lawyers, noting that such behaviour undermines the integrity of the legal profession.
The engagement underscored a shared commitment by both institutions to deepen institutional cooperation, promote ethical standards and strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
