The African Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development (African Centre) has collaborated with the Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Money Laundering Committee to train lawyers in compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations.
According to a statement on Sunday, lawyers from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states benefited from the training aimed at boosting Nigeria’s efforts to tackle illicit financial flows.
It was supported by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Deputy Project Director at the African Centre, Obialunanma Nnaobi-Ayodele, said the initiative formed part of efforts to strengthen professional accountability in the legal sector.
“Lawyers are strategic gatekeepers in the fight against illicit financial flows. If we strengthen compliance at the legal entry point, we close major loopholes that criminals might exploit,” she said. “This workshop helps ensure that Nigeria’s legal sector aligns with global standards in AML/CFT compliance.”
Illicit Finance Adviser at the FCDO, Mr. Jehanzeb Khan, commended Nigeria and three other African countries for improving their AML/CFT regimes, which led to their removal from the Financial Action Task Force ‘grey list’.
He, however, stressed the need for sustained vigilance.
Now that Nigeria has been removed from the grey list, our collaboration remains focused on strengthening financial integrity because tackling illicit finance is essential to economic stability and national security,” Khan stated. “This training equips lawyers to detect red flags and safeguard the nation’s wealth.”
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), represented by Mr. Augustine Eseagwu III, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to boosting compliance across its branches.
He stressed that the legal profession must not be used to undermine the country’s financial system.
He urged lawyers to be frontline defenders against illicit financial flows and to champion the use of the NBA AML Portal to promote transparency and ethical practice.
“Let us make it impossible for law firms in Nigeria to be used as safe havens for illicit financial activities,” he charged.
Earlier sessions were held in Kano, Benin City and Owerri.
The initiative is seen as timely, as Nigeria intensifies efforts to meet the expectations of FATF and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, strengthen asset recovery systems and deepen the fight against corruption.
