A Magistrate Court sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, has granted bail to a 30-year-old man, Collins Ehibor, who was arrested for allegedly impersonating a legal practitioner and fraudulently practising law.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Gregory Epete, admitted Ehibor to bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with two sureties after he pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
Ehibor was arrested on July 6, 2026, following allegations that he had been posing as a lawyer and representing clients in court without being qualified to practise law.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had handled and successfully won about 24 court cases, including three criminal matters, before his arrest.
The Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch, had earlier disclosed that its members exposed the alleged fake lawyer at the Effurun–Uvwie Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpan, Delta State, on July 6.
According to the NBA, Ehibor had allegedly been presenting himself to unsuspecting members of the public as a lawyer before his activities came under scrutiny.
The incident reportedly began when a legal practitioner, who had visited the police command on behalf of a client, noticed Ehibor dressed in the official wig and gown traditionally worn by lawyers.
The NBA said his appearance in full legal regalia on a Saturday aroused suspicion, prompting the lawyer to engage him in conversation.
During the interaction, the suspect’s responses allegedly raised further doubts about his claim of being a legal practitioner.
The lawyer then contacted officials of the NBA, Effurun Branch, after Ehibor allegedly claimed to be a member of the branch.
Upon arriving at the Area Command, a former Vice Chairman of the NBA, Effurun Branch, Oghenetega C. Ikpen, Esq., interviewed the suspect.
During questioning, Ehibor allegedly claimed that he graduated from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, during the 2018/2019 academic session, but was unable to produce evidence to support the claim.
He also allegedly claimed to have attended the Nigerian Law School, Enugu, but could not identify the location of the campus.
When asked whether he had been called to the Nigerian Bar, the suspect allegedly admitted that he failed the Bar Final Examination and was a resit student.
According to the NBA, Ehibor had visited the police command to represent a client, identified as Mr. Asuquo Nya, who allegedly paid him ₦7,000, in addition to other professional fees, to accompany him to the station.
The NBA further stated that officers discovered that the wallpaper on the suspect’s mobile phone showed his photograph dressed in a lawyer’s wig and gown, allegedly creating the impression that he was a duly qualified legal practitioner.
The suspect was also reportedly found in possession of a lawyer’s bib, which he allegedly claimed was obtained for use at the Nigerian Law School.
However, the NBA said he could not provide basic information about the institution he claimed to have attended.
Following its assessment, the Effurun Branch said it believed the suspect neither graduated from Ambrose Alli University as claimed nor proceeded to the Nigerian Law School.
The branch commended the Effurun–Uvwie Area Command, led by ACP Aliyu Shaba, for its collaboration with the NBA in identifying and apprehending persons allegedly posing as legal practitioners.
The case was adjourned for further hearing, while the allegations against Ehibor remain subject to proof before the court.
The post “Court Grants Bail To Alleged Fake Lawyer In Delta” — Police Say He Reportedly Handled 24 Cases Before Arrest appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
