In a recent webinar organized by JIN Legal and Compliance Consultants in collaboration with the International Compliance Association, experts gathered to discuss the critical role of lawyers in anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT).

The session, moderated by Moira Frank-Peterside, featured Barrister Esther Hadassa Abadji, a certified AML-CFT trainer and regulatory compliance expert. As legal practitioners are increasingly viewed as “gatekeepers” by international bodies like FATF, understanding these frameworks is no longer optional—it is a professional necessity.

Key Takeaways from the Seminar:

• The Definition of Money Laundering: It is the process of converting, concealing, or acquiring assets derived from criminal activity to make them appear legitimate.
• The Three Stages: Money laundering typically involves Placement (introducing funds into the system), Layering (complex transactions to hide the source), and Integration (reintroducing funds as “clean” assets).
• The Lawyer’s Role: Under the Nigerian Rules of Professional Conduct (2023), lawyers are mandated to prevent, detect, and report suspicious activities while preserving accurate records.
• The Risk of “Willful Blindness”: Legal practitioners can be held liable if they “reasonably ought to have known” that a transaction involved proceeds of crime.

Watch the Full Video: You can watch the complete seminar recording here to dive deeper into the case studies and practical guidance shared during the session.