Police arrest alleged fake lawyer after 10 years of impersonation
The police said the arrest followed a discreet investigation by operatives of the command after receiving a petition that the suspect allegedly obtained money by false pretence. The post Police arrest alleged fake…
Cases of impersonation within Nigeria's legal profession periodically surface, raising questions about how unqualified individuals manage to operate for years without detection by court registries, the Nigerian Bar Association, or law enforcement. Legitimate legal practice in Nigeria requires call to the Nigerian Bar by the Body of Benchers after completing law school, and practitioners are expected to be enrolled with the Supreme Court; impersonating a lawyer and appearing in court or collecting fees under false pretences is a criminal offence that can also expose unsuspecting clients to financial loss and compromised legal representation.
In this case, the Ebonyi State Police Command said the suspect, identified as Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya (also rendered Ugwumba Enyinnaya), was arrested after allegedly posing as a lawyer for over a decade, with reports citing periods of more than 10 to 11 years. According to police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu, the arrest followed a discreet investigation triggered by a petition accusing the suspect of obtaining money from people under false pretences. The outlets largely align on the central facts — the suspect's identity, the duration of the alleged impersonation, and the petition that triggered the probe — while details such as the specific charges to be filed, the amount allegedly obtained, and the identities of affected clients have not yet been reported.