EFCC Warns Lawyers Against Charging Clients in Foreign Currencies

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned legal practitioners across Nigeria against charging clients in foreign currencies, describing the practice as illegal and unethical.

The warning was issued on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Lagos by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo.

Kaltungo spoke when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola, during a courtesy visit to his office.

He expressed concern over what he described as illegal and unethical practices involving some legal practitioners and said the Commission would prosecute lawyers found culpable.

According to Kaltungo, the Directorate is currently handling two cases involving lawyers who allegedly charged their clients in foreign currencies.

“We have two cases of lawyers who were found to have charged fees in dollars. This is unethical and illegal, as the Naira is the country’s legal tender,” he said.

He added that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute any lawyer found culpable of charging clients in foreign currencies.

Kaltungo also cautioned lawyers against invoking the name of the EFCC to impose excessive charges on their clients.

He acknowledged that lawyers have the right to determine their professional fees but said they should not falsely claim that fees demanded from clients were required by the EFCC.

Earlier, Abiola commended the EFCC over the recent prosecution and conviction of a person described as a fake lawyer, describing the process as swift and reassuring.

He said the NBA Task Force was handling several cases involving alleged malpractice by legal practitioners and called for stronger collaboration with the EFCC to ensure that lawyers found culpable of criminal conduct face prosecution.

Also speaking during the meeting, ACE I Orhieoghene Adewunmi of the EFCC’s Department of Legal and Prosecution urged the NBA to make appropriate publications concerning lawyers found culpable of unethical practices.

She said such publicity would help members of the public identify practitioners who had been sanctioned for professional misconduct and avoid engaging their services.

ACE II Henry Anasoh, also of the Department of Legal and Prosecution, raised concerns about alleged instances where some lawyers assist suspects in obstructing investigations or frustrating the administration of justice.

He cited alleged cases involving the presentation of forged documents for bail applications, including purported medical records.

The EFCC and the NBA Task Force said stronger cooperation between both organisations would help address illegal legal practice and criminal conduct within the profession.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Aisha Achimugu’s ₦4.6bn Jewellery, ₦4.3bn Luxury Cars to FG

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to the Federal Government.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwugbuzie, followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which sought permanent forfeiture of the assets as part of its ongoing investigation.

Among the assets forfeited are jewellery valued at over ₦4.6 billion and 11 exotic vehicles worth about ₦4.3 billion.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of $50,000 in cash and ₦30 million to the Federal Government.

According to the EFCC, the final forfeiture order covers:

• Jewellery valued at ₦4,645,170,294.90.
• Eleven exotic vehicles worth ₦4,293,000,000.
• $50,000 in cash.
• ₦30 million in cash.

Justice Onwugbuzie granted the application after considering the anti-graft agency’s request for the assets to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The latest ruling marks another major development in the EFCC’s case involving the businesswoman, with the commission maintaining that the assets are linked to its ongoing investigations.

Further details on the court’s decision and the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture are expected to emerge.

Sowore to Remain in Kuje Prison as Court Delays Ruling on Bail Application

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, will remain in Kuje Correctional Centre after a Federal High Court in Abuja postponed its ruling on his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

Justice Muhammad Umar fixed June 30 to rule on Sowore’s request to set aside the bench warrant issued for his arrest and restore the bail earlier granted to him.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Raphael Adakole, who appeared for senior advocate Adeyinka Fusika (SAN), urged the court to reverse the order that revoked his client’s bail and ordered his remand.

The defence also sought Sowore’s temporary release into the custody of his legal team pending the ruling, citing health concerns and assuring the court of his continued attendance at future hearings.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the defendant had not provided sufficient grounds for the court to exercise its discretion in his favour.

In his ruling, Justice Umar declined the request for temporary release, stating that granting it could amount to deciding the substantive application before delivering a formal ruling.

Sowore is facing charges linked to alleged defamatory social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

The case, initially filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), is now being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Supporters of the activist gathered outside the court premises during the hearing, calling for his release as security operatives maintained a strong presence around the complex.

Nurses Demand Justice for Slain Nursing Student Vivian Chilaka

 

Vivian Chilaka

The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the killing of Miss Vivian Chilaka, a student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, and called for a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the Forum described the incident as a tragic loss to the nursing profession, Anambra State, and Nigeria as a whole.

According to the statement, Vivian was allegedly stabbed multiple times and later found dead within her residence. The Forum said a knife believed to be connected to the incident was reportedly recovered near her room.

The organization noted that circumstances surrounding the incident have raised several questions, including reports that a dog within the compound, known for barking at strangers, did not react on the night of the attack.

Beyond the circumstances of her death, the Forum highlighted Vivian’s academic achievements and personal struggles, describing her as an exceptionally brilliant student with a promising future.

According to the statement, Vivian lost her mother about ten years ago and her father four years ago, leaving her to help support her two younger brothers. Her academic excellence reportedly attracted the support of a sponsor based abroad, who encouraged her to pursue a career in nursing.

The Forum further disclosed that during her matriculation at the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Vivian won six out of seven academic awards presented to outstanding students, earning recognition as one of the institution’s brightest students.

The group said her death has shattered the dreams of her family, colleagues, lecturers, sponsor, and the nursing community.

While extending condolences to her relatives and associates, the Forum called on security agencies to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the case.

The organization also demanded the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the incident and urged women’s rights groups, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates to monitor the case to ensure justice is served.

In addition, the Forum called on the Anambra State Government to immortalize Vivian through a scholarship or academic excellence award in her name. It also urged the government to support her family by covering burial expenses and providing educational assistance to her two younger brothers.

“The memory of Vivian Chilaka deserves justice. Her family deserves justice. The Nursing community deserves justice,” the statement said.

The Forum maintained that the case must not become another unresolved violent crime and called on authorities to act swiftly in identifying and prosecuting those responsible.