Alleged Impostor Arrested in Delta Court After Posing as Lawyer
A suspected fake lawyer, identified as U. T. Oghenetejiri, was on Thursday arrested at the Orhuwhorun Magistrates’ Court in Delta State. His arrest followed suspicions raised during court proceedings where he allegedly posed as a legal practitioner.
According to reports, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Udu Branch, apprehended the suspect after he attempted to represent a client in a criminal matter. The Chairman of the branch, Edmund Odohisi, confirmed the development in a statement issued to journalists in Warri.
Odohisi explained that suspicion arose when Oghenetejiri failed to respond to basic questions posed by the presiding Magistrate. His inability to demonstrate knowledge of legal procedure prompted further scrutiny from lawyers present in court.
Sensing exposure, the suspect attempted to flee the courtroom but was pursued by court staff and lawyers into the Orhuwhorun market, where he was eventually caught. He was immediately handed over to security personnel for further interrogation.
Investigations by the NBA revealed that Oghenetejiri had been frequenting courts in the area for months, allegedly representing unsuspecting clients under false pretences. His inconsistent legal arguments and inability to provide verifiable details about his law school background triggered a discreet investigation.
Preliminary findings further disclosed that the suspect had been preparing legal documents, forging stamps and seals, and even operating an office along Jakpa Road, Effurun. Several documents, including deeds of transfer, were recovered from him. Checks also confirmed that he never attended the Nigerian Law School and is not enrolled on the roll of legal practitioners at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a statutory requirement for practice.
The incident has reignited calls within the legal community for stricter verification mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system. The suspect has since been transferred to the Ovwian Police Station for further investigation and possible arraignment.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Zone XI Police Headquarters arrested another suspected fake lawyer, Emmanuel Odeh, who allegedly paraded himself as a qualified attorney for nearly a decade, operating mostly in Lagos and Abuja. Odeh is accused of defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of legal representation, estate agency, and consultancy services.
