Man sentenced to three years for impersonating lawyer in Abia

A 65-year-old man, Iheanacho Emenike, has been sentenced to three years in prison by an Aba South Magistrate’s Court for impersonating a lawyer and obtaining N500,000 from a woman under false pretences.

Emenike was convicted after pleading guilty to three charges involving impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and the use of a purported Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) seal.

The case, Commissioner of Police v. Iheanacho Emenike, was heard before Magistrate Erinma Maduagwu at Court 1 of the Aba South Magistrate’s Court.

The charges followed alleged activities in June 2026 at No. 9 Ukonu Street, Aba, in the Aba South Magisterial District.

According to the prosecution, Emenike falsely presented himself as a legal practitioner identified as E.U. Iheanacho Esq., allegedly with the intention of defrauding Onuoha Chinasa. The offence was prosecuted under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 80, Vol. III, Laws of Abia State, 2005.

The second count accused him of collecting N500,000 from Chinasa after claiming that he would prepare an Irrevocable Power of Attorney for her. The charge was filed under Section 419 of the Criminal Code.

He was also accused of using a purported NBA seal bearing number SCN076872, allegedly intending that it would be accepted as genuine. The offence was brought under Section 467(b) of the Criminal Code.

Emenike admitted the three allegations when he was arraigned on September 2, 2026, leading to his conviction by the court.

The magistrate sentenced him to one year imprisonment on the first count, two years on the second and three years on the third. The sentences are to run concurrently, making the three-year term the effective period of imprisonment. The court did not grant him an option of fine.

The conviction was announced by the NBA Aba Branch Anti-Fake Lawyers Committee, which said the development would help safeguard the integrity of the legal profession and strengthen respect for the rule of law.

The committee chairman, Uchenna Ejiogu, Esq., commended members of the committee and other branch members for their support throughout the proceedings.

The prosecution was handled by U.E. Emmanuel, Esq., Legal Officer, Area Command, Aba, according to the charge document made available to journalists on Thursday.