By John Dike, Osogbo
Anti-fraud detectives attached to Zone XI Police Headquarters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have arrested a middle-aged man for allegedly impersonating a legal practitioner.
The suspect was apprehended within the premises of a court in Ogun State, where he was reportedly posing as a lawyer. He is currently being interrogated at the X-Squad Department under the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Osogbo.
According to police investigations,the suspect had previously operated in Osogbo between 2018 and 2021, presenting himself as a qualified lawyer and handling multiple legal cases. His activities came under scrutiny after he was challenged to produce his Call to Bar certificate, which he failed to provide. He subsequently fled the area.
The First Information Report (FIR) indicates that the suspect allegedly defrauded unsuspecting clients and members of the public of over ₦50 million through his fraudulent legal practice before his arrest.
In response to the development, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Osogbo Branch, Mr. Mauruf Adediran, along with the Welfare Secretary and other officials, visited the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the X-Squad. During the visit, they were briefed on the progress of the investigation and the extent of the alleged fraud.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Mr. Adediran condemned the suspct’s actions, describing them as a stain on the image of the legal profession and a grave injustice to innocent Nigerians who were deceived and financially exploited.
He assured that the NBA would follow the case to its logical conclusion, stressing that the suspect must be duly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt to impersonate legal practitioners.
Police sources revealed that the case has reached an advanced stage, and the suspect is expected to be formally charged to court next week.
Mr. Adediran also reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies to eradicate impostors from the legal profession and restore public confidence in the justice system.
