Police uncover fake lawyer in Ebonyi after N650,000 fraud allegation

The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, has arrested Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya for allegedly impersonating a legal practitioner and posing as a barrister and solicitor for more than 10 years.

The arrest followed a discreet investigation by police operatives after a petition alleging obtaining money by false pretence was received by the command.

According to the petition, Enyinnaya allegedly collected N650,000 from one Mr Chukwu David in March 2026 to facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming request in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The petitioner alleged that the suspect presented himself as a lawyer with years of legal experience to secure the payment.

The police said investigations conducted after the arrest revealed that the suspect had allegedly been parading himself as a qualified legal practitioner despite lacking the necessary credentials.

During interrogation, Enyinnaya reportedly admitted that he was not a lawyer.

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A search of his apartment led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been used to support his alleged impersonation.

The exhibits included 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.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

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

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

The command said the suspect had been charged to court. However, details of the charges and the date of his arraignment were not provided.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the operatives for their diligence in uncovering the alleged impersonation.

Okafor urged members of the public to verify the credentials of individuals offering legal services and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

The police reiterated the importance of public vigilance in preventing fraud and protecting unsuspecting citizens from individuals who allegedly pose as qualified professionals.

The allegations against Enyinnaya remain subject to determination by the court.