A man, Oruhu Odey, has been arraigned in Osogbo for allegedly posing as a lawyer, fõrging the Nigerian Bar Association seal, and defrãuding a businessman of N18.5 million.
Odey, who appeared in court without legal representation, was slammed with four counts of impers0nation, frãud, stêaling, and fōrgery.
According to the police prõsecutor, Saheed Anifowose, the defendant fãlsely paraded himself as a lawyer between December 2020 and May 2021. During this period, he reportedly deceived a victim into parting with millions under the pretext of helping him purchase two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.
The prosecutor further alleged that Odey went as far as forging the official NBA seal and stamp and attaching them to a petition he sent to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, in a bid to appear credible.
The offences, Anifowose said, contravened several provisions of the Osun State Criminal Code, including Section 109 on impersonation and Section 419 on frãud.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Ruling on the matter, Presiding Magistrate Dr. Segun Ayilara ordered that Odey be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre and adjourned the cãse to October 21, 2025, for mention.
Cases of fãke lawyers parading themselves in courts and legal dealings have become alarmingly frequent in Nigeria. The NBA has repeatedly raised concerns over impostors fõrging its seals to commit frãud, even introducing extra security features in 2021 to fìght fōrgery.
Just last month, there was an arrest of another suspected fãke lawyer, Emmanuel Odeh, who had allegedly been practicing for almost 10 years in Lagos and Abuja while dúping unsuspecting Nigerians.
For many Nigerians, the growing trend of fãke lawyers is a reminder to double-check legal representatives before entrusting them with sensitive cases or large sums of money.
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