The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC warns Nigerian lawyers against charging clients in foreign currencies), describing the practice as illegal and unethical under Nigerian law.
The commission issued the warning on Monday, September 14, 2026, after officials of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 met with representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The warning was delivered by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, during a meeting with the NBA Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its head, Moshood Abiola.
EFCC Warns Lawyers Against Foreign-Currency Charges
Kaltungo expressed concern over alleged unethical conduct among some legal practitioners, particularly the practice of demanding payment in dollars and other foreign currencies from clients in Nigeria.
He urged lawyers to comply with relevant laws and professional guidelines, warning that practitioners found violating the rules could face prosecution.
The commission said it would not hesitate to take action against legal practitioners found culpable. The meeting also examined ways to address illegal practices within the legal profession and improve cooperation between the EFCC and the NBA task force.
The latest position reinforces the commission’s earlier campaign against the charging of clients in foreign currencies for domestic transactions.
EFCC Previously Warned Businesses Over Dollarisation
In 2024, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede warned schools, hotels, supermarkets and other businesses against demanding payment in dollars or other foreign currencies for goods and services within Nigeria.
Olukoyede said the dollarisation of domestic transactions could amount to a criminal offence under Nigerian law, stressing that offenders could be prosecuted.
EFCC Reports Major Recovery Figures
The warning comes as the anti-graft agency continues to publicise its enforcement and asset-recovery activities.
The commission recently disclosed that it had released ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million to beneficiaries over a 34-month period following recoveries.
It also reported total naira recoveries of ₦1.23 trillion during the period under review.
According to the EFCC, approximately ₦325.35 billion of the released funds went to individuals and corporate organisations, while ₦335.97 billion was disbursed to government ministries, departments and agencies, revenue authorities, companies and other public institutions.
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