By A man masquerading as a lawyer was dramatically arrested at the Orhuwhorun Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he attempted to flee the courtroom.
The suspect, identified as U. T. Oghenetejiri, was exposed mid-trial when he failed to answer a question from the Magistrate.
The fake lawyer
His inability to respond raised immediate suspicion, prompting him to run from the court.
A pursuit ensued, with court staff and genuine lawyers chasing him to the nearby Orhuwhorun market before he was finally apprehended.
According to the Udu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which made the arrest, Oghenetejiri had been under investigation for several months. Edmund Odohisi, Chairman of the NBA Udu Branch, stated they had received complaints about an individual impersonating a lawyer.
“We took the matter seriously because the integrity of the legal profession is at stake,” Odohisi said. “When he appeared again at Orhuwhorun Court, our men moved in.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that Oghenetejiri operated from an office on Jakpa Road in Effurun, where he allegedly prepared legal documents using a forged stamp and seal.
His business card
He was found with several copies of deeds of transfer and other legal paraphernalia at the time of his arrest.
Items retrieved from him
Checks confirmed the suspect never attended law school and is not on the Supreme Court’s roll of legal practitioners, a mandatory requirement to practise law in Nigeria.
The suspect is currently in custody at the Ovwian Police Station, awaiting formal arraignment.
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