The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a 55-year-old man, John Anoruo, for allegedly posing as a legal practitioner and using a forged seal of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos.
The suspect, who reportedly runs a legal and educational consultancy in the Ikorodu area, was apprehended on Monday following an investigation triggered by documents he submitted to the EFCC in connection with a dispute involving Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.
According to the commission, suspicion arose after officials noticed inconsistencies in the documents presented by Anoruo. Further checks revealed that both a petition and a withdrawal letter he submitted carried a questionable NBA seal.
An EFCC investigator disclosed that a verification process confirmed the seal was not authentic, prompting a deeper probe into the matter.
Investigators also found that another document, a Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026 bore the same suspicious seal, reinforcing allegations of forgery.
During interrogation, Anoruo allegedly admitted obtaining the seal from a business centre in Lagos, a claim that is now part of ongoing investigations.
The suspect further stated that he earned a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria Nsukka through an evening programme. However, he reportedly confessed that he never attended the Nigerian Law School, a compulsory step required before one can be called to the bar and practise law in Nigeria.
Legal experts note that without completing the Law School programme and being officially called to the bar, an individual cannot legally operate as a lawyer in the country.
The EFCC has confirmed that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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