The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has cautioned Nigerian lawyers against pricing their services in foreign currencies, describing the practice as both illegal and a violation of professional ethics.
The commission made the announcement on its official X account on Monday, September 14, 2026, following a meeting between its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 and a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association.
ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC's Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, delivered the warning while receiving the NBA Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its head, Moshood Abiola.
Kaltungo expressed concern over illegal and unethical practices among some legal practitioners, particularly the charging of clients in foreign currencies.
"The EFCC has called on legal practitioners in the country to desist from the illegal and unethical practice of charging clients in foreign currencies," the statement read in part.
Kaltungo urged lawyers to comply with applicable laws and professional standards, and warned that the commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable. The engagement also examined illegal practices within the legal profession and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between the EFCC and the NBA task force.
The warning builds on an earlier enforcement position. In 2024, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede cautioned schools, supermarkets, hotels and other businesses against charging for goods and services in dollars or other foreign currencies within Nigeria. Speaking in the commission's monthly e-magazine, EFCC Alert, he warned that the dollarisation of domestic transactions could constitute a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
The latest caution to lawyers comes as the commission continues to publicise its enforcement and recovery activities. Key figures disclosed by the EFCC include:
- N661.32 billion and $492.37 million released to beneficiaries over 34 months, as disclosed by Olukoyede on Monday, August 31, 2026. - Total naira recoveries of N1.23 trillion during the period. - Of the N661.32 billion released, about N325.35 billion went directly to individuals and corporate bodies, while N335.97 billion was released to various MDAs, the Nigeria Revenue Service, states' Internal Revenue Services and other public institutions, companies and individuals.
