A man identified as Oruhu Odey has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Osogbo, Osun State, for allegedly posing as a lawyer and defrauding a businessman of ₦18.5 million. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to court proceedings, Odey was slammed with four counts of impersonation, fraud, stealing, and forgery. He allegedly paraded himself as a legal practitioner between December 2020 and May 2021, during which he convinced his victim to part with millions of naira under the pretext of purchasing two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.
Forged NBA Seal to Appear Credible
The police prosecutor, Saheed Anifowose, told the court that Odey went as far as forging the official seal and stamp of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and attaching them to a petition he addressed to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police. This, he said, was done to create credibility and sustain his false identity as a lawyer.
Court Ruling
When the charges were read, Odey pleaded not guilty. Presiding Magistrate Dr. Segun Ayilara ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 21, 2025, for mention.
Fake Lawyers on the Rise in Nigeria
Cases of impostors parading themselves as lawyers have become increasingly common in Nigeria. The NBA has repeatedly raised alarm over the forgery of its seals and, in 2021, introduced new security features to curb the menace.
Just last month, another suspected fake lawyer, Emmanuel Odeh, was arrested after reportedly practicing for nearly a decade in Lagos and Abuja, allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians during that period.
The growing trend has sparked fresh warnings, with experts urging the public to verify the authenticity of legal representatives before entrusting them with sensitive matters or large sums of money.