A suspected fake lawyer, identified as U. T. Oghenetejiri, was on Thursday arrested at the Orhuwhorun Magistrates’ Court in Delta State.
He was apprehended by members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Udu Branch, after he allegedly posed as a lawyer during court proceedings.
Chairman of the NBA Udu Branch, Edmund Odohisi, in a statement made available to journalists in Warri, said Oghenetejiri was caught while attempting to represent a client in a criminal matter.
“Suspicion arose among practising lawyers in the courtroom as he could not answer questions from the Magistrate.
“He then attempted to flee but was chased into Orhuwhorun market by court staff and lawyers,” the statement read.
Odohisi revealed that Oghenetejiri had been frequenting courts in the area for months, allegedly representing clients under false pretences.
His inconsistent legal arguments and inability to provide credible information about his law school background raised concerns, prompting a quiet investigation by the NBA.
Following his arrest, court security and lawyers handed him over to the police.
Checks further revealed that Oghenetejiri never attended Law School and is not listed on the roll of legal practitioners at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a mandatory requirement to practice law.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter verification mechanisms in Nigeria’s judicial system.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been transferred to the Ovwian Police Station for further investigations and possible arraignment.
Lawyers across Delta State have commended the swift action of the NBA Udu Branch, which has also urged the public to report suspicious practitioners while reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
On Saturday, the Zone XI Police Headquarters arrested a suspected fake lawyer identified as Emmanuel Odeh, parading himself as a qualified attorney for almost 10 years, mostly in Lagos and Abuja.
It was gathered that Odeh has been allegedly duping unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of legal representation, estate agency, and public consultancy.
