J.S. Okutepa (SAN) Raises Alarm Over Impersonation By Lawyer; Disclaims Viral “Quit Notice”

*Says Lawyer Who Issued Quit Notice Left His Law Firm In 2018

An Abuja-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J.S. Okutepa has raised alarm about the impersonation of law firm allegedly by one S.T. Akohol on a Quit Notice which is currently making rounds on social media.

The quit notice sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer was signed by one S.T. Akohol Esq., posing as a lawyer in the law firm of J.S. Okutepa SAN.

However in a disclaimer made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, J.S. Okutepa SAN made it categorically clear to the public that the Notice did not emanate from his office.

According to him, Mr S.T. Akohol was once in the employment of his law firm but left as far back as 2018 to set up his own practice.

He said, “I wish to state categorically that the said quit notice did not emanate from my office and could not have emanated from my office. I am surprised to see this carrying my office name of J. S. Okutepa SAN and Co. While it is true that Mr S T Akohol was in the employment of my law firm, he left my office in 2018 to set up his law firm.”

Okutepa also added that the address on the said quit notice is not the accurate address of his office in Makurdi, noting that his office had since relocated from the stated address to its newly completed office.

He said, “The address on the letter is not my office address. My office address in Makurdi is House 3BR/3B, No 11 Hudco Quarters High Level Makurdi Benue State.
My office was relocated to the address above on 25th January 2018 after the law firm built its office. I and my office have no ideas of the author of this badly written Quit Notice. It is an impersonation of the highest order. I am far away in Miami Florida now for IBA conference and many have drawn my attention to this letter which was not badly written but had demeaned my person and office. All letters and notices from my law firm are usually done on my office letter headed papers with the office logo.”

Okutepa further stated that though he is outside the country, he has instructed his Head of Chambers to report the issue to the police for thorough investigation.

“I have accordingly instructed my colleague and Head of Chambers in Makurdi to report this to the police with a view to knowing who authored this Quit Notice.”