A man who allegedly spent more than eleven years parading himself as a qualified legal practitioner has been arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command over allegations of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
The suspect, identified as Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya, was arrested following a discreet investigation launched by the police after receiving a petition concerning an alleged ₦650,000 transaction.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, by the Ebonyi State Police Command, the petitioner, Mr Chukwu David, alleged that he paid the suspect ₦650,000 in March 2026 to facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming proposal in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect allegedly presented himself as a lawyer with years of professional experience, but investigations following his arrest reportedly uncovered a startling account of alleged legal impersonation.
The police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was not a lawyer, raising further questions about how he allegedly maintained the appearance of a legal practitioner for more than a decade.
A search of his apartment reportedly yielded several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him dressed in barrister’s regalia, a barrister’s robe and wig, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Investigators also recovered court judgements allegedly procured by the suspect and various legal documents said to have been prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.
Police Statement
EBONYI STATE POLICE COMMAND ARREST FAKE LAWYER "PRACTICING" FOR MORE THAN ELEVEN YEARS
The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, has arrested one Ugwumba Francis Enyinnaya for impersonating as legal practitioner and parading himself as a barrister and solicitor for over a decade.
The arrest followed a discreet investigation by operatives of the Command after a petition bordering on obtaining money by false pretence was received.
According to the petition, the suspect allegedly collected the sum of ₦650,000 from one Mr Chukwu David in March 2026, to facilitate the processing and approval for the naming of a street in Ohaozara Local Government Area. The petitioner alleged that the suspect presented himself as a lawyer with years of legal experience.
Following the suspect’s arrest, investigations revealed that he had been falsely parading himself as a legal practitioner. During interrogation, the suspect admitted that he was not a lawyer. A search of his apartment led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal; a portrait of the suspect dressed in barrister’s regalia; purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree certificates for the suspect bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology; a barrister’s robe and wig; judgements allegedly procured from the court and various legal documents allegedly prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.
The suspect has been charged to court.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, psc, mnips, commended the operatives for their diligence in uncovering the impersonation and urged members of the public to verify the credentials of individuals offering legal services and to report suspicious activities.
SP JOSHUA UKANDU, anipr
Police Public Relations Officer
Ebonyi State Command.
Abakaliki.
27th October, 2026