ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a 55-year-old man, John Anoruo, for allegedly impersonating as a legal practitioner and using a forged seal of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos.
Anoruo, who reportedly runs a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, was apprehended on Monday, April 20, 2026, by officials of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the anti-graft agency in Ikoyi.
His arrest followed investigations triggered by documents he submitted to the EFCC in a dispute involving Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.
According to the commission, suspicion was raised after inconsistencies were discovered in official-looking documents presented by the suspect.
An EFCC investigator said: “Preliminary findings showed that both the petition and the withdrawal letter he submitted carried a suspicious NBA seal. This prompted further verification, which confirmed the seal was not authentic.”
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Further checks revealed that a Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, also bore the same questionable seal, strengthening suspicions of document forgery.
During interrogation, Anoruo allegedly admitted obtaining the seal from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.
Another EFCC official disclosed: “He confessed to getting the seal from a business centre, which is part of what is now being investigated further.”
The suspect also claimed he obtained a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka through evening programmes.
However, he admitted he never attended the Nigerian Law School—a mandatory requirement for anyone seeking to practise law in Nigeria.
Legal experts note that beyond obtaining a law degree, attendance at the Nigerian Law School and being called to the Bar are essential prerequisites before one can legally represent clients.
The EFCC confirmed that Anoruo will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.