EBONYI, Nigeria – The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man, Ugwumba Enyinnaya, for allegedly impersonating a lawyer and practising without the required professional qualifications for more than 11 years.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, saying it followed an investigation into a petition alleging obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly collected ₦650,000 from a man identified as Chukwu David in March 2026 to facilitate the processing and approval of a street naming in Ohaozara Local Government Area. The petitioner alleged that Enyinnaya presented himself as a lawyer with years of professional experience.
Police said investigations following the arrest indicated that the suspect had been presenting himself as a legal practitioner despite not being qualified to practise law.
During interrogation, Enyinnaya reportedly admitted that he was not a lawyer, according to the police statement. A search of his apartment allegedly yielded several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him in barrister’s regalia, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing his name and identifying Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
The police also said they recovered a barrister’s robe and wig, court judgments allegedly procured by the suspect, and legal documents purportedly prepared by him. The documents reportedly included powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance. The command said the suspect had been charged to court.
The case raises concerns about the risks posed by individuals who allegedly present themselves as qualified legal practitioners without meeting the requirements for legal practice.
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