Abuja – July 2025 — Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Life Bencher, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, FCIArb (UK), was a special guest at the July edition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Garki Branch Monthly General Meeting, where he delivered a thoughtful goodwill message and shared insightful guidance on ethical legal practice in the context of emerging regulatory standards.
Welcomed with warmth and respect by members of the branch, Aare Akinboro commended the leadership of NBA Garki Branch for the well-organized and vibrant structure of its monthly meeting. He praised the branch’s commitment to excellence, inclusiveness, and continuous engagement, describing it as “a shining example of what a purposeful bar association should be.”
In his address, the respected silk turned his focus to a crucial area of compliance affecting legal practitioners—the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Rules under the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC). Drawing attention to the heightened responsibility placed on lawyers as gatekeepers of the law and custodians of justice, he emphasized the importance of due diligence in client relationships.
“The law has moved forward, and so must we. As legal practitioners, it is no longer enough to simply receive instructions and act. You must know your client—conduct background checks, verify identities, and ensure you are not unknowingly facilitating illegality,” Akinboro stated firmly.
He noted that with the implementation of AML provisions applicable to legal practice, lawyers must go beyond verbal interactions and instill a culture of proper documentation and record keeping.
“Every instruction, no matter how small or routine, must be put into writing. Let it be documented, acknowledged, and filed. This is not just about compliance—it is about protecting yourself and your practice,” he said.
According to Akinboro, when instructions are clearly written and agreed upon, the lawyer operates with greater clarity and peace of mind. It also minimizes the risk of miscommunication or potential liability.
“Lawyers must insist on written instructions. We must standardize this. It is part of professional discipline. Apart from meeting regulatory obligations, it ensures that you conduct your affairs without stress or worry. You are covered,” he stressed.
Aare Akinboro, SAN—known for his unwavering dedication to capacity building, ethical practice, and the advancement of the Nigerian legal profession—used the opportunity to encourage younger lawyers to see diligence and discipline as tools for long-term success.
He concluded his goodwill message by urging the NBA Garki Branch to continue fostering dialogue around compliance, ethics, and business sustainability in legal practice, noting that “a strong bar makes for a strong society.”
The meeting ended with appreciation from the branch leadership and a resounding applause for Akinboro’s visit and contribution. His words, both cautionary and inspiring, were a timely reminder that the future of legal practice lies in integrity, responsibility, and professionalism.
#NBA #GarkiBranch #AkinboroSAN #LegalEthics #AMLCompliance #KnowYourClient #RPC #ProfessionalDiscipline #LegalPractice #RuleOfLaw
Photos:
