By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged lawyers across the country to uphold integrity and moral values in their professional practice, warning that members of the legal profession must never allow themselves to become instruments for money laundering or other corrupt activities.
Dr. Aliyu gave the charge while addressing members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, during their monthly meeting held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Sharia Court of Appeal, Gwagwalada, Abuja. His remarks were contained in an official statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare.
The ICPC Chairman, who recalled his days as Vice Chairman of the NBA Kano Branch, explained that he had long promised to attend the Gwagwalada meeting to strengthen ties between the Commission and the NBA. He noted that he deliberately began this engagement with the branch because of its reputation for being home to intellectually vibrant lawyers.
Speaking on the theme, “The Legal Practitioner as Gatekeeper: Upholding Professional Ethics to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering,” Dr. Aliyu stressed the strategic role of lawyers in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and global reputation. He pointed out that Sections 6(e) and 6(f) of the ICPC Act empower the Commission to combat corruption through enlightenment and advocacy, making collaborations with professional bodies like the NBA vital.
Reflecting on the 2023 amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), in which he played an active role, the ICPC boss posed a critical question: how can Nigeria strengthen its credibility while also protecting lawyers from being exploited by money launderers? He described lawyers as gatekeepers whose responsibility goes beyond representation in court to advising clients and protecting the economy from illicit financial flows.
“Dirty money, whether laundered into society or stashed away for future use, poses a huge challenge across Nigeria, Africa, and the globe,” Aliyu said, noting that Section 15 of the Constitution obligates every Nigerian to work towards abolishing corrupt practices and abuse of office. He cautioned that money launderers often attempt to use lawyers and their chambers to clean illicit funds, while even members of outlawed organisations may approach them, thereby exposing unsuspecting practitioners to serious professional risks.
Citing the 2022 Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the ICPC Act, 2000, he urged lawyers to practice strict client due diligence. “Know your client. Protect yourself with knowledge of both your profession and those you represent. Intellectual vigilance is crucial to discerning integrity,” he said. He also reminded practitioners that Rules 71 and 72 of the RPC 2023 impose obligations on lawyers to avoid complicity in money laundering, warning that the ICPC would not hesitate to investigate any lawyer found to be aiding corruption.
The ICPC Chairman also shared a personal anecdote of a lawyer who, despite personal risks, refused to compromise his integrity and pursued a matter up to the Supreme Court to prevent a dangerous precedent. Such courage and discipline, he said, should inspire the profession to always prioritise ethics above profit. “Reputation is a lawyer’s most valuable asset. Once destroyed, the damage is irreversible. The digital world of 2025 never forgets,” he warned, adding that reputational damage, disbarment, and loss of license remain grave consequences of aiding illegality.
Aliyu urged senior members of the profession to continually lead by example, reminding all lawyers that everyone will ultimately account for their actions. “This is what drives my fight against corruption,” he declared, reaffirming that the ICPC remains committed to handling cases fairly and without prejudice in pursuit of a corruption-free Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Mr. Clever Owoh, expressed appreciation to Dr. Aliyu for honouring the branch’s invitation, noting that his presence and words of advice would further deepen collaboration between the NBA and the ICPC in promoting professional ethics and combating corruption.
