EFCC arrests fake lawyer over forged NBA seal in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken decisive action against alleged fraud with the arrest of John Anoruo, a 55-year-old man accused of impersonating a legal practitioner. Anoruo, operating a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, Lagos, was apprehended after submitting documents bearing a suspicious Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal to the EFCC.

An EFCC investigator familiar with the case revealed that inconsistencies in the official-looking documents, specifically a petition and a withdrawal letter, raised alarms. Subsequent verification confirmed that the NBA seal was not authentic. This discovery led to further investigation, during which Anoruo allegedly confessed to obtaining the forged seal from an undisclosed business center in Lagos. The EFCC is continuing its investigation into the source of the fraudulent seal.

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Preliminary findings showed that both the petition and the withdrawal letter he submitted carried a suspicious NBA seal. This prompted further verification, which confirmed the seal was not authentic.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Anoruo claimed to have earned a law degree in 2018 but admitted to never attending the Nigerian Law School. This is a critical point, as attendance at the Nigerian Law School and subsequent call to the bar are non-negotiable prerequisites for anyone wishing to practice law in Nigeria. The EFCC has stated that Anoruo will face charges in court once the investigation is complete, highlighting the commission's zero-tolerance policy towards such fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of the legal profession.

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He confessed to getting the seal from a business centre, which is part of what is now being investigated further.