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By Lizzy Chirkpi
There was a drama at the Magistrate Court in Orhunwhorhun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, on Thursday when a suspected fake lawyer, identified as U.T. Oghenetejiri, was arrested after attempting to represent a client in a civil case.
The impostor, who had reportedly been parading himself as a legal practitioner for months, ran out of luck when he was confronted with a question by the magistrate that he could not answer. Witnesses said, instead of responding, he bolted out of the courtroom, prompting a hot chase by lawyers and court officials.
He was eventually caught at the Orhuwhorun market by members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Udu Branch’s Anti-Fake Lawyer Committee, led by David Omage and G. Fenfe.
According to the Chairman of NBA Udu Branch, Edmund Odohisi, the association had received several complaints about a suspected impostor posing as a lawyer.
“We took the matter seriously because the integrity of the legal profession is at stake,” Odohisi said. “When he appeared again at Orhuwhorun court, our men moved in.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that Oghenetejiri had opened an office along Jakpa Road in Effurun, where he prepared legal documents, forged stamps and seals, and even drafted deeds of transfer for unsuspecting clients.
Findings further confirmed that he never attended law school and his name is not on the roll of legal practitioners maintained by the Supreme Court of Nigeria a statutory requirement for anyone practicing law in the country.
Lawyers in the state have praised the swift action of the Udu NBA, warning that such impostors threaten the sanctity of the legal profession. The association also appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious persons claiming to be lawyers.
“The legal profession must be protected. We remain committed to justice and ethics,” Odohisi stressed.
As of press time, the suspect is being held at Ovwian Police Station, pending his formal arraignment in court.