Zone XI Police in Osun have arrested a fake lawyer who allegedly practiced for nearly 10 years, defrauding numerous clients of over ₦50 million.
Suspect identified: Emmanuel Odeh.
Modus operandi: Odeh allegedly posed as a lawyer for a decade, using the name A.O. Emmanuel, to handle legal representation, estate agency, and public consultancy services, primarily in Lagos and Abuja.
Arrest location and date: Police operatives arrested him on August 28, 2025, inside a courthouse in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he was representing a client.
Current status: He is in custody and undergoing interrogation at the X-Squad Department in Osogbo, Osun State.
Victim’s suspicion: The arrest was triggered by a petition from a victim who grew suspicious and challenged Odeh to produce his “Call to Bar” certificate.
Confession: Odeh confessed that he is actually a 400-level law student at Benue State University and is not a qualified legal practitioner.
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) response: Officials from the NBA’s Osogbo branch condemned the impostor’s actions, calling it a serious stain on the legal profession and an injustice to his victims.
Charges and warning
Odeh is facing charges of impersonation and fraud. Once the investigation is complete, he is expected to be prosecuted.
Police and the NBA have urged the public to verify the credentials of lawyers before hiring them to avoid financial losses and poor legal representation.
