The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a suspected fake lawyer, Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya, for allegedly impersonating a legal practitioner and practising for more than 11 years without being qualified.
The suspect was also accused of defrauding a resident of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Chukwu David, of ₦650,000 under the pretext of facilitating approval for the naming of a street in the area.
The police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
According to the statement, detectives arrested Enyinnaya following a petition alleging that he obtained the money from David in March 2026 after presenting himself as an experienced lawyer.
The suspect allegedly claimed he could facilitate the processing and approval required to name a street in Ohaozara.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, has arrested one Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya for impersonating as legal practitioner and parading himself as a barrister and solicitor for over a decade,” the statement read.
Police Recover Lawyer’s Robes, NBA Seal, Certificates
The police said investigations following the arrest revealed that Enyinnaya had allegedly been posing as a legal practitioner despite not being a qualified lawyer.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted that he was not a lawyer, according to the police.
A search of his apartment allegedly led to the recovery of several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him 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 included a barrister’s wig and robe, court judgments allegedly obtained by the suspect, and legal documents purportedly prepared by him.
The documents included powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance, the police said.
The command added that the suspect had been charged before a court.
Police Warn Public Against Fake Lawyers
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation for uncovering the alleged impersonation.
Okafor also urged members of the public to verify the professional credentials of individuals offering legal services and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
