Man Arrested for Pretending to Be a Lawyer for Over 10 Years

The Police Command in Ebonyi State has arrested a man named Ugwumba Enyinnaya. He is accused of pretending to be a lawyer for more than 10 years.

Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, shared this news in a press release on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

Mr Ukandu, a police superintendent, said the arrest came after a careful investigation. This followed a petition claiming the suspect collected money under false pretenses.

David Chukwu, the petitioner, alleged that Enyinnaya took ₦650,000 from him in March 2026. He claimed the money was for processing and approving a street-naming request in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The suspect reportedly posed as a lawyer with many years of experience while taking the money. Mr Ukandu said that after the arrest, initial investigations showed that Enyinnaya had been acting as a legal practitioner without the proper qualifications.

During questioning, the suspect admitted he was not a lawyer. The police spokesperson said a search at the suspect’s home uncovered many items.

These included a Nigerian Bar Association seal and a photo of Enyinnaya dressed in a barrister’s outfit. They also found fake Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws certificates from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Other items recovered included a barrister’s robe and wig, court judgments he allegedly obtained, and various legal papers he claimed to have prepared. Some of these documents were powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.

The police have charged the suspect in court. The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Hope Okafor, praised the officers for their hard work in revealing the impersonation.

The police also reminded the public to be careful when dealing with people who say they are lawyers.