Police Arrest Fake Lawyer For 11-Year Illegal Practice, Alleged ₦650,000 Fraud In Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man, Ugwumba Enyinnaya, for allegedly impersonating a lawyer and practising illegally for over 11 years.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, stating that the arrest followed an investigation into a petition bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly collected ₦650,000 from one Chukwu David in March 2026 to facilitate the processing and approval of a street naming in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The petitioner alleged that Enyinnaya presented himself as a lawyer with several years of legal experience before collecting the money.

The police said investigations conducted after his arrest revealed that the suspect had allegedly been parading himself as a legal practitioner despite not being qualified.

During interrogation, Enyinnaya reportedly admitted that he was not a lawyer, according to the statement.

The police further disclosed that a search of his apartment led to the recovery of several items suspected of having been used in the alleged impersonation.

The statement listed the recovered items to include 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.) degree certificates bearing his name and that of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Other items recovered were a barrister’s robe and wig, court judgements allegedly procured from the court, and various legal documents purportedly prepared by the suspect.

These documents reportedly included powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.

The police said the suspect had been charged to court over the alleged offence.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Okafor, commended the operatives who uncovered the alleged impersonation.

She urged members of the public to verify the credentials of individuals offering legal services to avoid falling victim to fraud and other forms of deception.

The police commissioner also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity to the police as part of efforts to protect the public and prevent crime in the state.