A Magistrate Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of a man identified as Oruhu Emmanuel Odey, accused of posing as a lawyer and committing fraud through forgery.

Odey was arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara on a four-count charge, including impersonation, fraud, stealing, and forgery.

According to the prosecution counsel, Saheed Anifowose, the defendant between December 15, 2020, and May 9, 2021, allegedly presented himself as a lawyer to mislead one Dr. Olujuwon Philips Towoju into purchasing two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.

He claimed Odey fraudulently obtained ₦18.5 million from Dr. Towoju under the guise of facilitating the transaction as a legal practitioner, an act contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution also alleged that Odey stole the said amount, which belonged to Dr. Towoju, an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code.

It was further revealed that Odey allegedly forged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stamp and seal, which he used on a petition addressed to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code.

Without legal representation, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Magistrate Ayilara noted that Odey had once appeared before him in 2020 during the COVID-19 period, a fact the defendant confirmed. Odey also disclosed that he is currently a Law student at Benue State University.

The hearing was attended by members of the NBA Osogbo Branch, including its former chairman, Yemi Abiona, and the current chairman, Mauruf Adediran, who led six other lawyers to represent the association, listed as a nominal complainant in the case.

Magistrate Ayilara ordered Odey’s remand at the Ilesa Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until October 21 for mention.