Abia Magistrate Court Jails 65-Year-Old Over Fake Lawyer Scam

An Aba South Magistrate Court in Abia State has handed down a prison sentence to 65-year-old Iheanacho Emenike following his guilty plea to a trio of charges. These charges included impersonation, fraudulently obtaining money, and the illicit use of a counterfeit Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) seal.

According to the charges brought forth by the Abia State Commissioner of Police before the Aba South Magistrate Court, Emenike was accused in Count One of falsely presenting himself as a legal practitioner, specifically as 'E.U. Iheanacho Esq.', with the specific intent to defraud a woman named Onuoha Chinasa. This offence falls under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 80, Vol. III, Laws of Abia State of Nigeria 2005.

In Count Two, the prosecution detailed that Emenike deceitfully obtained the sum of N500,000 from Onuoha Chinasa. He did this under the false pretence that he would prepare an Irrevocable Power of Attorney for her. This particular charge was filed under Section 419 of the Criminal Code.

The third count against Emenike alleged that he knowingly utilized a fake Nigeria Bar Association seal, bearing the serial number SCN076872, with the intention for it to be perceived and acted upon as genuine. This act constitutes an offence under Section 467(b) of the Criminal Code.

Court records reveal that Emenike admitted his guilt to all three counts when he was formally arraigned on September 2, 2026. Following his admission and the subsequent legal proceedings, the court found him guilty and imposed a sentence of one year imprisonment for Count One, two years for Count Two, and three years for Count Three. The court stipulated that these sentences would run concurrently, meaning the longest term of three years represents the effective period of his incarceration. Furthermore, the court did not offer an option of a fine.