Ebonyi Police Arrest Suspected Fake Lawyer After 11 Years, Recover NBA Seal

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Ugwumba Enyinnaya for allegedly posing as a qualified lawyer for more than 11 years without the required professional credentials.

The arrest followed a petition accusing him of obtaining money under false pretences after allegedly collecting ₦650,000 from a resident who sought assistance with the approval of a street-naming request.

According to the police, the petitioner, identified as Chukwu David, alleged that he paid the money to Enyinnaya in March 2026. The suspect reportedly claimed he could facilitate the processing and approval of the request in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

David alleged that Enyinnaya presented himself as an experienced legal practitioner before receiving the payment.

Police Recover NBA Seal, Lawyer’s Wig and Purported Law Certificates

Following the arrest, police investigators reportedly discovered items at the suspect’s residence that raised further concerns about his alleged activities.

The recovered items included a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait of the suspect dressed in barrister’s regalia, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Other items reportedly recovered were a barrister’s wig and robe, court judgments allegedly obtained by the suspect, and legal documents, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.

Police said the documents and other materials formed part of the investigation into allegations that Enyinnaya had been presenting himself as a lawyer despite lacking the necessary qualifications.

Suspect Allegedly Admitted He Was Not a Lawyer

According to the police, Enyinnaya admitted during interrogation that he was not a lawyer.

The Ebonyi State Police Command said the suspect had been charged to court in connection with the case.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, reportedly commended the officers involved in the investigation and urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging individuals who offer legal services.

The police also advised residents to verify the professional credentials of anyone claiming to be a legal practitioner and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

How Nigerians Can Verify a Lawyer’s Credentials

The case has drawn attention to the importance of verifying the qualifications of legal practitioners before entrusting them with sensitive matters involving money, property, businesses or personal rights.

Members of the public should not rely solely on a person’s appearance, office, certificates displayed on a wall or possession of a lawyer’s wig and robe.

Before engaging a lawyer, clients should request the person’s full name and Supreme Court enrolment number. They can then check the details through the Nigerian Bar Association’s official website and its lawyer-search service.

Where necessary, further confirmation can be sought through the relevant NBA branch or the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s designated channels for verifying a legal practitioner’s status.

Clients should also request written documentation of the agreed legal services, keep receipts for payments and be cautious of anyone demanding money to bypass official procedures.

The Ebonyi case serves as a reminder that verifying professional credentials before making payments can help protect Nigerians from potential fraud and the risks associated with unqualified individuals handling legal matters.

Source note: This article is an independent rewrite based on published news reports and police statements as reported by the media. Allegations remain allegations unless established by a court.