The Chief Magistrate Court in Gombe State has adjourned the ongoing criminal impersonation case involving one Freedom Nweke (popularly known as Andre A. Lion) to November 10, 2026, for formal arraignment.
The adjournment was granted at the instance of the Defendant, who appeared before the court to enable him to engage the services of a legal practitioner of his choice.
Background to the Case: How the “Golden” Imposter Was Unmasked
The case, which has sent shockwaves through the legal community in Gombe State and beyond, follows a formal petition lodged by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe Branch.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) and police charge records, the suspect, Freedom Nweke (36, native of Bukuru, Jos South, Plateau State), allegedly operated an illegal law firm under the business name “Diamond Chambers” located at Umma Plaza, Sabon Layi, Gombe, between July 2025 and March 2026.
Investigators revealed that the defendant brazenly paraded himself as “Barrister Andre A. Lion,” going so far as to receive an official courtesy visit from the executives of the NBA Gombe Branch who presumed him to be a legitimate colleague. Suspicion mounted, leading the branch leadership, led by Chairman Alhassan Muazu and Secretary K. Jimoh Esq, to petition the Commissioner of Police, triggering a thorough investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Police Investigation and Confession
During interrogation at the State CID, the suspect admitted in his statement that he is not a registered lawyer and was never called to the Nigerian Bar. He claimed he opened the office space in May 2025 for “greener pastures” and handled minor settlement issues or tenant-landlord disputes, while maintaining that he never personally appeared in any conventional court or police station to represent clients.
The case file has since been processed, and the preliminary legal steps are underway to formally arraign him under Section 132 of the Penal Code Law (and relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law).
The matter is set to resume on November 10, 2026, for the reading of the charge and plea taking. LegalLinkz will continue to monitor proceedings from the courtroom as justice unfolds.
Meet the legal team:
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Alhassan Muazu, Esq. (NBA Gombe Branch Chairman)
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K. K. Jimoh, Esq. (Branch Secretary)
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Ramatu Ibrahim Hassan, Esq.
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Usman Abubakar, Esq.
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Raphael Obotidem, Esq.
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Hisham Muhammad, Esq.
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Yusuf Abubakar, Esq.
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Saidu M. Tukur, Esq.
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A. Y. Umar, Esq.
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Musa Ismail, Esq.
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