Ebonyi Police Arrest Man Accused of Practising Law for 11 Years Without Qualification
The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya, for allegedly impersonating a legal practitioner and providing legal services for more than 11 years without being called to the Nigerian Bar.
The arrest followed a petition by a resident of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Chukwu David, who accused the suspect of obtaining ₦650,000 from him under false pretences.
According to the police, David alleged that he paid the money in March 2026 after Enyinnaya presented himself as an experienced lawyer who could facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming request in the local government area.
The complainant reportedly petitioned the Commissioner of Police after the suspect allegedly disappeared after receiving the money.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, Superintendent Joshua Ukandu, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly been presenting himself as a qualified lawyer despite lacking the necessary professional credentials.
During interrogation, Enyinnaya reportedly admitted that he was not a lawyer, according to the police.
Police Recover NBA Seal, Legal Documents
The police said a search of the suspect’s apartment led to the recovery of several items allegedly connected to his activities.
The items included a seal bearing the name of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), a portrait of the suspect dressed in barrister’s regalia, a barrister’s wig and robe, 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.
Detectives also reportedly recovered court judgments and legal documents, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance, which the police said the suspect had allegedly prepared for clients.
The recoveries have raised concerns about members of the public who may have relied on the suspect for legal assistance over the years.
However, the police have not publicly identified all the people who allegedly engaged his services or established whether the documents prepared by him were accepted or used in court or property transactions.
Police Say Suspect Has Been Charged
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation.
She also urged members of the public to verify the credentials of individuals offering legal services and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The police said Enyinnaya had been charged to court. Details of the specific charges and the next court date were not provided in the reports reviewed.
The allegations against him have not been established through a court judgment.
Public Urged to Verify Legal Practitioners
The case highlights the risks associated with engaging individuals whose professional qualifications have not been verified, particularly for services involving property ownership, legal representation and other important documents.
Members of the public who have used the suspect’s services may need to seek independent legal advice to establish the status and validity of documents prepared on their behalf.
The police have urged residents to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a legal practitioner before paying for legal services.
