Operatives of the Zone XI Police Command have arrested a man identified as Emmanuel Odeh for allegedly practicing as a lawyer without qualifications for nearly ten years.
Odeh, who is said to have operated mostly in Lagos and Abuja, was apprehended on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at a court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while appearing as counsel for a client.
In a statement on Saturday, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ade Ogunyemi, said Odeh was arrested by operatives of the X-Squad Section of the Zone, led by ACP Akinloye Oyegade.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect has been parading himself under the name A.O. Emmanuel, Legal Practitioner and Public Consultant, duping unsuspecting Nigerians through fake legal representation, estate agency, and consultancy services,” Ogunyemi said.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Osogbo, AIG Emuobo Ekokotu, cautioned Nigerians to always verify the credentials of legal practitioners before engaging their services.
“This case underscores the dangers of dealing with unverified lawyers.
Victims of such impostors risk losing money, receiving poor legal representation, and damaging their reputation,” he said.
Ekokotu stressed that the police would continue to clamp down on impersonators and bring them to justice, warning that such cases would serve as a deterrent to others.
The police spokesperson added that Odeh would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.