The Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Owerri branch, has lamented the rate of increase of fake lawyers in the State, frowning at and unhappy about the way people impersonate lawyers.
The Chairman of the Anti-Impersonation Committee of the branch, Ihediohanma Akponye, revealed the stance of association during a visit the committee made to the State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro.
Ihediohanma, a senior lawyer, who visited with Ifeoma Ihesie, Peter Oduba, Eke Onyeforo, T. O.B Okey, Blaise Iwunze, E.C Onyema, and Williams Okere, stated that the NBA is unhappy at the spate of fraud ravaging the state, and is very disturbed by the situation. Stating its effect and impact, Ihediohanma said the fake lawyers are hurting the trust of the public and causing huge economic loss to the State. He then commended the police in the state for recently arresting a fake lawyer, adding that more persons who impersonate the profession should be arrested and prosecuted.
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“The Anti impersonation committee of the NBA is determined to identify and flush out fake lawyers and unscrupulous elements who illegally engage and carry on some businesses that are the exclusive preserves of members of the legal profession thereby hurting the trust of the public and the economy of the state. It is important we say this that only those called to the Nigerian Bar are legally qualified to practice as lawyers in Nigeria. Even if you are a graduate, as long as you are not called to bar you can’t practice as a lawyer. That your spouse, father or mother is a lawyer does not also qualify one as a lawyer or to parade NBA stickers”, Ihediohanma said.
