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 practicing law.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Gregory Epete, admitted the defendant 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. The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 14, 2026, for further hearing.
Ehibor was arrested on July 6, 2026, following investigations into allegations that he had been posing as a lawyer and representing clients in court without being qualified to practice.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had handled and successfully won about 24 court cases, including three criminal matters, before his arrest.
Recall that Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Effurun Branch on 6th July , 2026 exposed the fake lawyer at the Effurun–Uvwie Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpan, Delta State.
According to the NBA, the suspect had allegedly been presenting himself to unsuspecting members of the public as a lawyer before his activities came under scrutiny on Saturday.
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. His appearance in full legal regalia on a Saturday aroused suspicion, prompting the lawyer to engage him in conversation.
The NBA stated that during the interaction, the suspect’s responses raised further doubts about his claim of being a legal practitioner. The lawyer subsequently 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 the questioning, Ehibor allegedly claimed he graduated from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, during the 2018/2019 academic session, but was unable to produce any evidence to support the claim.
He also claimed to have attended the Nigerian Law School, Enugu, but reportedly 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, the suspect 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.
Further raising suspicion, the NBA said officers found that the wallpaper on the suspect’s mobile phone displayed his photograph dressed in a lawyer’s wig and gown, creating the impression that he was a duly qualified legal practitioner.
The suspect was also found in possession of a lawyer’s bib, which he allegedly claimed was obtained for use at the Nigerian Law School. However, the NBA noted that he could not provide basic information about the institution he claimed to have attended.
Following its assessment, the Branch stated that it believes 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, under the leadership of Area Commander ACP Aliyu Shaba, for its continued collaboration with the NBA in identifying and apprehending individuals allegedly posing as legal practitioners.
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