An Osogbo Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of one Oruhu Odey for allegedly impersonating a lawyer, forging the seal of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and fraudulently obtaining N18.5 million from a businessman.
Odey, who had no legal representation in court, was arraigned by the police on Wednesday on four counts bordering on impersonation, fraud, stealing, and forgery.
The prosecutor, Saheed Anifowose, told the court that between December 15, 2020, and May 9, 2021, the defendant falsely paraded himself as a lawyer to deceive an unsuspecting businessman into purchasing two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.
He explained that Odey fraudulently obtained N18.5 million from the victim under the pretence of helping him secure the properties. He further accused the defendant of forging the NBA’s stamp and seal, which he allegedly affixed to a petition he forwarded to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police.
Anifowose said the offences contravened Sections 109, 419, and 383, and were punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
In his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, Dr. Segun Ayilara, adjourned the case till October 21 for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
Cases of fake lawyers impersonating members of the bar have become a recurring concern in Nigeria. In 2021, the NBA introduced additional security features on its seals to curb forgery following several arrests of impostors.
Only last month, police at Zone XI Headquarters arrested another suspected fake lawyer, Emmanuel Odeh, who had allegedly paraded himself as an attorney for nearly a decade, duping unsuspecting Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja under the guise of legal practice and estate consultancy.
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