The EFCC foreign currency charges warning has put Nigerian lawyers on notice as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) threatens to prosecute legal practitioners who charge clients in foreign currencies.
The Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, issued the warning on Friday, 11 September 2026.
He spoke when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law at his office in Lagos.
The delegation, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola, visited the EFCC official as part of efforts to address concerns surrounding illegal and unethical practices in the legal profession.
Kaltungo warned that lawyers who violate relevant laws could face prosecution.
He also raised concerns about legal practitioners engaging in practices he described as illegal and unethical.
The EFCC foreign currency charges issue comes amid wider concerns about professional conduct and compliance with Nigerian laws.
The commission has therefore made clear that legal practitioners are not exempt from financial regulations.
Meanwhile, the NBA Lagos Task Force continues to focus on illegal practice within the legal profession. Its engagement with the EFCC highlights the need for stronger cooperation between regulatory bodies and professional organisations.
The warning could also affect how lawyers structure fees for clients, particularly where transactions involve international businesses or foreign currencies.
However, lawyers and their clients will need to understand the specific legal requirements governing professional fees and foreign-currency transactions.
The EFCC has repeatedly stressed the importance of compliance with financial laws. Therefore, legal practitioners who ignore applicable regulations could face serious consequences.
The latest warning sends a clear message: professional status does not place anyone above the law.
