Fake Lawyer Nabbed in Osun After Allegedly Practising for Nearly 10 Years, Defrauding Clients of ₦50m
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Zone XI Police Command in Osun State has arrested a man identified as Emmanuel Odeh, who allegedly posed as a lawyer for almost a decade, defrauding unsuspecting clients of over ₦50 million through fake legal representation and consultancy services.
Police operatives apprehended Odeh on August 28, 2025, inside a courthouse in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he was reportedly representing a client in a legal matter.
Victim’s Petition Triggered Arrest
According to police sources, Odeh’s arrest followed a petition from one of his alleged victims who became suspicious after several irregularities in Odeh’s dealings.
The victim reportedly challenged him to produce his “Call to Bar” certificate—a request that ultimately exposed his alleged fraudulent activities.
Police Interrogation and Confession
Under interrogation at the X-Squad Department in Osogbo, Odeh allegedly confessed that he was not a qualified lawyer but rather a 400-level law student at Benue State University.
For nearly ten years, he allegedly operated under the name A.O. Emmanuel, offering legal representation, estate agency services, and public consultancy primarily across Lagos and Abuja.
Nigerian Bar Association Reacts
Officials from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Osogbo branch have strongly condemned the suspect’s actions, describing them as a serious stain on the legal profession and an injustice to victims who unknowingly entrusted their legal matters to an impostor.
Charges and Police Warning
Police authorities confirmed that Odeh is facing charges of impersonation and fraud, with plans to prosecute him upon completion of investigations.
Both the police and the NBA have urged members of the public to verify the credentials of legal practitioners before engaging their services to avoid financial losses and poor legal representation.
The case has sparked discussions on the need for stricter verification processes in Nigeria’s legal profession to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
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