Anambra Fake Lawyer Receives Jail Time for Impersonation

Obinna Orezue, a 30-year-old man from Anambra, has been sentenced to three months in prison with hard labor for contempt of court. On June 19th, 2024, the judge found Orezue guilty of posing as a lawyer at the Otuocha High Court 2 Division.

Orezue admitted he studied political science, not law. He pleaded for leniency, citing a family with five children and an unemployed wife who even joined him in begging the court for mercy.

Despite their pleas, the judge delivered a decisive judgment on the case.

Orezue's deception unraveled during a hearing for case number OT/120/2022. When questioned about how to proceed if the defendant refused legal documents, Orezue fumbled and couldn't answer correctly. The judge's attempt to offer assistance through another lawyer also failed as Orezue couldn't repeat the proper procedure.

Further investigation exposed inconsistencies in Orezue's educational background. Initially, he claimed degrees from Kano and UNIZIK in 2015, then switched his story to attending the University of Igbariam and being called to the bar in 2019. Financial hardship was also cited as a motive.

Adding another layer to the case, Orezue hadn't submitted his credentials to his employer, M.T. OLISE-EKE, a law firm in Onitsha. The judge has ordered the law firm to appear in court next Wednesday to clarify their role and potentially face prosecution.

This case serves as a stark warning against impersonating legal professionals. Deception in the courtroom undermines the integrity of the entire legal system, and the consequences, as Orezue discovered, can be severe.

#newscast