The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly placed over 100 lawyers on trial across various courts in Nigeria over allegations of fraud and related financial crimes.

According to the anti-graft agency, the lawyers are being prosecuted for offences ranging from alleged involvement in fraudulent transactions, money laundering, forgery of legal documents, and aiding criminal activities through professional misconduct.

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The EFCC said many of the suspects allegedly used their positions as legal practitioners to facilitate financial crimes, including helping clients conceal illicit funds and manipulating legal processes to obstruct investigations.

Sources within the commission disclosed that the cases are currently being handled in different courts, particularly in Lagos, Abuja, and other major judicial divisions across the country.

The anti-corruption agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability within all professional sectors, stressing that legal practitioners are not above the law.

The development has sparked discussions within the legal community, with some stakeholders calling for stricter professional discipline and collaboration between the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and anti-corruption agencies to address misconduct within the profession.

The EFCC maintained that the ongoing prosecutions are part of broader efforts to sanitize the legal and financial systems and deter individuals from using professional platforms to aid fraudulent activities.