Tension gripped the Magistrate Court in Orhuwhorun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, on Thursday, when a man impersonating a lawyer was dramatically arrested in the middle of court proceedings.
The suspect, simply identified as U.T. Oghenetejiri, had appeared in court to represent a client in a civil matter when his cover was blown. He was apprehended by the Anti-Fake Lawyer Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Udu Branch, after failing to respond to a simple legal question posed by the magistrate during the session.
Rather than provide an answer, the suspect suddenly fled the courtroom, prompting lawyers and court staff to chase him through the nearby Orhuwhorun Market, where he was eventually caught and handed over to the police.
His arrest was the result of a weeks-long investigation by the NBA Udu Branch, following repeated reports from concerned lawyers and court users about a suspicious individual parading himself as a legal practitioner.
According to NBA Udu Branch Chairman, Edmund Odohisi, Esq, the association began a discreet probe after receiving credible complaints that someone had been unlawfully presenting himself as a lawyer in several courts within Udu and nearby areas.
“We took the matter seriously because the integrity of the legal profession is at stake,” Odohisi said. “When he appeared again at the Orhuwhorun Magistrate Court, our team moved in immediately.”
The committee, led by lawyers David Omage and G. Fenfe, confronted the suspect inside the courtroom. When he could not explain his law school credentials or provide details of his call to bar, the magistrate grew suspicious. It was at that point that Oghenetejiri bolted.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Oghenetejiri never attended any law school in Nigeria, nor is his name listed on the roll of legal practitioners maintained by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which is a legal requirement for practicing law in the country.
Despite this, he had reportedly been appearing in courtrooms across Delta State for months, representing unsuspecting clients in both civil and criminal matters.
Further discoveries indicate that he operated from an office located at Jakpa Road in Effurun, where he allegedly prepared legal documents, forged a lawyer’s stamp and seal, and handled matters related to property transfers and agreements.
At the time of his arrest, several legal documents — including fake deeds of transfer and other case materials — were found in his possession.
The shocking incident has raised fresh concerns over the regulation and monitoring of courtrooms and legal representatives in Nigeria. Many legal practitioners in Delta State have commended the NBA Udu Branch for acting swiftly and decisively.
“This is a wake-up call,” said one senior lawyer who spoke anonymously. “Anyone can walk into court and claim to be a lawyer. We must do more to protect the legal system from impostors.”
The NBA has also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and always verify the identity of individuals claiming to be lawyers before engaging their services.
“We encourage the public to report suspicious persons. We will continue to uphold professional standards and the sanctity of the legal profession,” Odohisi added.
As of press time, Oghenetejiri remains in custody at the Ovwian Police Station, where he is being interrogated. Authorities say he will soon be charged to court for impersonation, forgery, and unlawful practice of law.
The case has sparked wide debate across the Delta legal community, with many calling for stronger enforcement and background checks to prevent similar breaches in the future.
