The Zone XI Police Headquarters has uncovered and arrested a suspected fake lawyer, Emmanuel Odeh, who has allegedly been parading himself as a qualified attorney for close to a decade, mostly operating between Lagos and Abuja.
According to police reports, Odeh had successfully deceived unsuspecting clients, legal practitioners, and even appeared in court proceedings under false pretenses. He was said to have presented himself as a seasoned attorney with vast courtroom experience, offering legal services and taking up cases without any valid qualifications or certification from the Nigerian Law School or enrollment at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The arrest, which followed weeks of discreet intelligence gathering, was carried out by operatives of Zone XI Command, who tracked down Odeh after several complaints and suspicions were raised about his questionable credentials.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had built a reputation in both Lagos and Abuja, where he allegedly handled multiple civil and criminal cases, issued legal advice, and even boasted of affiliations with top law chambers. Shockingly, many of his unsuspecting clients reportedly paid huge sums of money for his services, believing him to be a legitimate lawyer.
Confirming the development, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO) stated that Odeh will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. He urged members of the public, especially those who may have engaged his services, to come forward with information to aid prosecution.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also reacted, describing the incident as “deeply troubling” and a reminder of the urgent need to clamp down on impostors tarnishing the image of the legal profession. They further emphasized that only individuals who have been duly called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria are legally recognized as lawyers.
This shocking revelation adds to the growing list of cases of impersonation in critical professions across Nigeria, raising questions about regulatory oversight and the ease with which impostors infiltrate highly sensitive sectors.
Odeh is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
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