A Magistrate Court in Aba has convicted a fake lawyer,Mr Uzochukwu Iheanacho Emenike and sentenced him to pay Eighty Thousand Naira fine.

Uzochukwu Iheanacho Emenike was apprehended last week by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba branch, for allegedly parading himself as a lawyer.

According to Elder Victor C. Nwaugo Esq, a former National Legal Adviser to the NBA, the fake lawyer was prosecuted in Charge No MAS/182c/2020; C O P vs Uzochukwu Iheanacho before Magistrate Court 1 Aba South.

He was sentenced to N 50,000 fine in count 1 under section 484 of the criminal code and N30, 000 in count 2 under section 467 of the criminal code. The defendant was also ordered to write letter of apology to NBA Aba branch.

DSP Felix C. Okafor appeared for the prosecution, Charles Akwuete appeared for the defendant while Victor C. Nwaugo led Ebere C J Uzoatu and Emperor Ogbonna to watch brief for NBA.
The defendant pleaded guilty to both counts, prosecution was called to give brief facts of the case which he did and the accused was found guilty.
Under sentencing, the defence tendered medical paper from a renowned doctor. The defendant appeared to be suffering from a third degree high blood pressure, partial paralysis, foaming from his mouth and unable to sit or stand alone in the dock. His son was called in to hold him in the dock to enable him take his plea.

The Chairman of the Anti Fake lawyers committee that apprehended him is Nwabueze Nwankwo while the lawyer who privately investigated him is Ebere C. J. Uzoatu
Before he was apprehended Mr Emenike practiced with the office of Larry Iroka at Azikiwe in Aba and was regarded as quite experienced in law practice.

He confessed under interrogation that he failed Bar Final Exam and was not called to the Bar but decided to start his own practice notwithstanding.