In response to an online publication questioning his legitimacy, Bako Yunusa Gambo Esq, a Kano-based lawyer and founder of B.Y. Gambo & Co, has strongly denied allegations that he is not a genuine lawyer. Speaking to TheNigeriaLawyer, Gambo, who graduated from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 2006/2007 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007, expressed frustration over attempts to tarnish his image.
Gambo emphasized that his success as a lawyer, with over 15 years of experience, is rooted in determination, transparency, and integrity. He revealed that he has been trying to contact the online media outlet[Tgnews.com.ng] that published the false allegations but has yet to receive a response. Gambo, a politician who contributed to the emergence of the present administration of Yusuf Kabir, said he does not know who is after his image and has been making efforts to reach the online media who published such news without hearing from him. He also provided the contact numbers of his colleagues who he graduated with from university to law school.
Meanwhile, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria law students class of 2006 debunked allegations of “fake lawyer in Kano” made against their course mate. Former students of the law faculty at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria class of 2006 issued a statement signed by their class chairman during their school days, Lawrence Ijimdiya Esq. They expressed shock at an online newspaper publication by opr.news and one Mr. Mariri on behalf of concerned Kano people. The class of 2006 confirmed unequivocally and without hesitation that “Dodo Bak,” as they fondly called Gambo during their university days, was their course mate and is indeed a genuine lawyer duly called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007.
In another development, an independent search conducted by experts in journalism revealed that the source of the news is unknown, as the name, address, phone number, and email of the publisher and editor are nowhere to be found on the site, contrary to the standard operational procedure in online journalism. Gambo’s former classmates vowed to file an action against the concerned persons before the competent court of law for causing harm to their colleague. They further challenged the impostors whose aim is to blackmail and malign the hard-earned reputation of their colleague who distinguished himself and excelled in various aspects of legal practice in Kano and beyond. They also challenged the publishers to come forward with a formal petition to the NBA Kano branch so that the matter can be properly investigated. A petition has already been prepared to be submitted to the Police for investigation, which is being handled by a Kano-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Recall that a concerned indigene of Kano, according to online media tgnews.com.ng, who prefers his name to be concealed, raised an alarm and called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to conduct thorough checks of its authentic bonafide members. He alleged that quacks have infiltrated the noble profession in recent times, and only through rigorous proper records and in-depth checks will the quacks be weeded out from the good members of the profession. The Kano-based concerned citizen said the legal profession is one where practitioners are referred to as Ministers in the temple of Justice, individuals who are considered to be above average, men of integrity with a deep respect for the law.
He further raised an alarm that one Barr Bako Yunusa Gambo was uncovered and alleged to be a fake lawyer practicing law in Kano for the past eighteen years. The concerned citizen revealed that Barr Bako Yunusa Gambo started his legal profession in the popular chamber of M.A LAWAN & CO, the office of the former Attorney General of Kano State. Since then, he has been parading himself as a qualified lawyer under the name B.Y Gambo Esq and has established a law firm named B.Y Gambo & Co in Kano, located at No. 8 & 9 Maiduguri road, opp. APC Office, Hotoro, Kano.
The alleged imposter lawyer claimed to have been called to the bar in 2007. However, upon examining the official list of the 3,041 candidates called to the bar in 2007, the name Bako Yunusa Gambo was nowhere to be found. The closest match to the name on the list is Bako Haruna Gambo, found on page 47, called on Friday, 16th November 2007 at 10:00 am, number 87 on the call list.
It has also been revealed that there have been payments made in the name of Bako Haruna Gambo, Esquire, for the annual practice fee to the NBA, and an NBA seal was issued in the name of Bako Haruna Gambo. Yet, Bako Haruna Gambo has never made an appearance in court. Whenever the seal of Bako Haruna Gambo is used, the name B.Y Gambo signs the document. Further checks on the official website of the Nigeria Bar Association www.nigerianbar.org.ng show that Bako Yunusa Gambo is not on the list of lawyers in Nigeria.
Interestingly, it was uncovered that the real Bako Haruna Gambo went to Bayero University Kano and studied criminology. Further checks discovered that Bako Haruna Gambo is the biological brother of Bako Yunusa Gambo, and there are allegations that Bako Yunusa Gambo, for whatever reason, decided to use Bako Haruna Gambo’s O’level certificate to gain admission and study law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.
After graduating and attending law school, he began practicing as Bako Yunusa Gambo (B.Y Gambo), his actual name, in Kano. This was likely due to the fear of being exposed if he presented himself as Bako Haruna Gambo. Bako Yunusa Gambo allegedly did not pass his O’level exams to qualify for admission to study law, so he used his brother’s certificate to deceptively gain entry into Ahmadu Bello University and the Nigerian Law School.
There is no record of a Bako Yunusa Gambo in the 2007 list of lawyers called to the Bar, nor is Bako Yunusa Gambo found in the official list of lawyers on the Nigerian Bar Association website www.nigerianbar.org.ng. Therefore, there is a strong suspicion of identity fraud and impersonation, which is unbecoming and almost a taboo to be condoned in the noble profession. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been called upon to conduct an in-depth investigation into this occurrence to help sanitize the profession.
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