The Anti-Fake Lawyers Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aba Branch, has secured the conviction of Ifeanyi Christian Igwe, 38, for falsely presenting himself as a legal practitioner.
Igwe pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment with an option of a ₦500,000 fine by the Aba South Magistrate Court in Charge No. MAS/214C/2026.
The case arose from an incident on September 15, when Igwe reportedly appeared before Magistrate Court 4, Aba South, in an existing criminal matter—Commissioner of Police v. Chinedu Chukwu—and presented himself as “I.C. Igwe, Esq.”
Reports indicate that he participated in proceedings and cross-examined a witness before questions emerged concerning his status as a legal practitioner.
The NBA Aba Branch Anti-Fake Lawyers Committee subsequently became involved in the matter.
The case is particularly significant because Igwe was reported to have operated as a lawyer for more than 10 years before his eventual prosecution.
His conviction comes shortly after another Aba court sentenced Iheanacho Emenike, 65, to an effective three-year prison term for offences including impersonating a lawyer and using a purported Nigerian Bar Association seal.
The successive cases have again highlighted concerns about legal impersonation, verification of practicing lawyers, and the need for litigants and courts to confirm the professional status of persons claiming to represent clients.
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