The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has recorded another victory in its ongoing war against fake lawyers with the arrest of Tega Ikupa, a suspected impersonator, in Effurun, Delta State. Ikupa was apprehended on Monday while preparing a Deed of Conveyance using the seal of a Sapele-based lawyer, Israel Onoge, Esq.

The arrest was carried out by members of the NBA from the Warri, Effurun, and Udu branches, who also detained Ikupa’s sister-in-law for allegedly acting as an accomplice. The suspects are currently being held at the Ebrumede Police Station, where investigations are ongoing.

Ikupa was apprehended by a team of lawyers at the premises of Magistrate Court 1 in Effurun. The lawyers, including D.O. Omage, Lawrence Ayewa (Udu Branch), O.J. Oghenejakpor Jnr, D.J. Ikpesu (Effurun Branch), A.P. Eferurhobo, and J.E. Irogbo (Warri Branch), discovered the Supreme Court seal with Israel Onoge’s number while reviewing the Deed of Conveyance.

Upon contacting Onoge, the lawyers confirmed that he had not authorized anyone to use his seal for the preparation of legal documents. This prompted them to report the matter to the Ebrumede Police Station.

During interrogation, Ikupa confessed that the deeds in his possession were given to him by his sister-in-law. The sister-in-law, who was subsequently arrested, admitted that a surveyor in Adeje Community, Okpe, had prepared the documents for her after she paid N80,000.

CSP Iwok Ndifereke, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ebrumede, has ordered the arrest of the alleged surveyor involved in the case. The police are currently investigating the matter to uncover the full extent of the illegal activities.

This arrest is the latest in a series of successes by the NBA in its fight against fake lawyers. Barely a week ago, two other fake lawyers were arrested in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, underscoring the association’s commitment to rooting out impostors from the legal profession.

The NBA has repeatedly warned members of the public to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a lawyer before engaging their services. The association has also urged lawyers to safeguard their seals and other professional tools to prevent misuse by fraudsters.

The arrest has been widely applauded by legal practitioners and members of the public, who have called for stricter measures to curb the activities of fake lawyers. Many have also commended the NBA for its proactive approach in protecting the integrity of the legal profession.

CSP Ndifereke assured the public that the police would thoroughly investigate the case and ensure that all those involved face the full wrath of the law.

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