By: Tunji Okunlola
Police in Ebonyi State have arrested a 40-year-old man, Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya, on suspicion of posing as a lawyer for 11 years without ever being called to the Nigerian Bar. He’s alleged to have appeared in court and drawn up legal documents for clients throughout that time.
Detectives picked him up after a petition from Mr Chukwu David, a resident of Ohaozara Local Government Area. David alleges that Enyinnaya took ₦650,000 from him in March 2026 after presenting himself as an experienced lawyer who could secure approval to name a street in Ohaozara. He then reportedly vanished, and David took his complaint to the Commissioner of Police.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the suspect admitted under questioning that he isn’t a lawyer.
Police say a search of his home turned up a forged Nigerian Bar Association seal, a large portrait of him in full barrister’s regalia, and a wig and robe. They also reportedly found fake LL.B and LL.M certificates in the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Officers further recovered bundles of court judgments, powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance that he allegedly prepared for unsuspecting clients over the 11 years.
The Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, confirmed the arrest and praised his officers for uncovering the alleged long-running deception. Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu said in a statement that the suspect may have defrauded many other people. Okafor urged the public to check a lawyer’s status with the relevant branch of the Nigerian Bar Association before hiring them.
Police say the suspect has been charged to court.
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