A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and civil rights activist Femi Falana, has revealed that he rejected a N405 million brief from a former governor to help him launder funds abroad.
He urged lawyers not to stoop so low as to be willing to aid fraudulent politicians because of what he termed filthy lucre.
Falana’s revelation was documented in a monthly magazine, ALERT by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released to journalists on Friday.
Falana said: “The governor asked me to assist him in transferring money abroad, and that I should claim it to be proceeds from sale of his property in Nigeria.
“And the price was extremely attractive. He was going to pay me a million pounds then, when money was money.
“The governor said he had chosen me for the shady deal, because ‘nobody will suspect you.’
“I told him, ‘Your Excellency, so it is my reputation that you want to buy with your one million pounds?’’
“Some of my colleagues thought I was stupid, but those who accepted the offer later found themselves in trouble, as they were arrested and humiliated. They were only lucky not to have been charged to court.”
He advised lawyers against being used by politically exposed persons.
He added: “Lawyers have a paramount role to play in the fight against economic and financial crimes, as they are the ones usually employed by well-heeled members of the society to help perfect documents for illicit transactions, and to cover up their tracks.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
Cool post really good
name the Governor.