Suspect posing as legal practitioner arrested in Ikorodu after submitting petitions with fake Nigerian Bar Association stamp.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, have launched a full-scale investigation into a suspected fake lawyer, John Anoruo, over the use of a forged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal.

Anoruo, who runs a legal and educational consultancy in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, was arrested on Monday, April 20, 2026, following allegations of impersonation and document forgery.

The case came to light after the suspect submitted a petition dated September 22, 2025, to the EFCC on behalf of clients, accusing the management of Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited of wrongdoing. However, further scrutiny revealed that both the original petition and a subsequent letter of withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, carried a counterfeit NBA seal.

Under interrogation, Anoruo reportedly admitted that he procured the fake seal from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.

The 55-year-old also claimed he obtained a Law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2018 through evening studies but failed to attend the Nigerian Law School — a mandatory requirement to qualify as a legal practitioner in Nigeria.

The EFCC confirmed that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.