NBA Branches in Imo and Abia States Strengthened on AML/CFT Compliance Through Training of Trainers Workshop
Owerri, September 25, 2025 – Representatives of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches from Imo and Abia States converged in Owerri for a One-Day Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop aimed at deepening knowledge of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance, while also building capacity for the effective use of the NBA AML Portal. The interactive session brought together delegates from Owerri, Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia, Isiala-Ngwa, Ukwa, Okigwe, Orlu, Mbaise, and Mbano-Etiti NBA branches, reflecting the growing need to strengthen compliance frameworks within the legal profession.
The workshop opened with a warm welcome from the NBA Owerri Branch Chairman, represented by the Secretary, Daniel Odiba, followed by goodwill remarks delivered by Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, Co-Chair of the NBA Anti-Money Laundering Committee. Nma Nnaobi-Ayodele, Deputy Project Director at the African Center, outlined the objectives of the training, stressing the importance of equipping branch representatives to become in-house trainers capable of cascading knowledge to colleagues across their branches.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, represented by Stanley Chidozie Imo, SAN, in his keynote address, reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to positioning lawyers as frontline defenders against money laundering, terrorism financing, and illicit financial flows.
Technical session featured leading experts, including Chris Ugwuala, Esq., Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, and others, who addressed topics ranging from global AML/CFT regimes, legal and regulatory frameworks, Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence, to reporting obligations for legal practitioners. The session also featured a practical demonstration of the NBA-AML Portal, presented by Jerusa Nimfel of the African Center.
By adopting the Training of Trainers model, the workshop ensured that participants were not only equipped with AML/CFT knowledge but also empowered to cascade this training within their branches. This multiplier approach is expected to:
- Enhance understanding of AML/CFT obligations;
- Improve compliance with national and international standards;
- Reduce the risks of lawyers or law firms being exploited for money laundering or terrorism financing activities.
The ToT workshop forms part of the UK FCDO-funded project, “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows through Asset Recovery, Management, and Strengthening ML/CFT/PF Compliance in Nigeria,” implemented by the African Center with the NBA AML Committee and partners. This broader initiative seeks to build a strong compliance culture within Nigeria’s legal profession and reinforce the role of lawyers in safeguarding the financial system.
As participants departed, they carried with them not just knowledge, but also a renewed responsibility: to drive compliance at the grassroots of the NBA, ensuring that the legal profession continues to serve as a bulwark against financial crimes in Nigeria.
