Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, have arrested a 55-year-old man, John Anoruo, over allegations of impersonating a legal practitioner and possessing 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 an investigation triggered by documents he submitted in a dispute involving Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.
According to the EFCC, suspicions were raised after officials noticed irregularities in the documents he presented during the case process.
A source within the commission said preliminary checks revealed that both a petition and a withdrawal letter submitted by Anoruo carried what appeared to be a fake NBA seal.
“This led to further verification, and it was confirmed that the seal was not authentic,” the source said.
Investigations also revealed that a Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, contained the same questionable seal, deepening suspicions of forgery.
During interrogation, Anoruo reportedly admitted that he obtained the seal from a business centre in Lagos, though he could not provide further details about its source.
“He said he got the seal from a business centre, and that aspect is still under investigation,” an EFCC official added.
The suspect also told investigators that he obtained a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka through an evening programme. However, he admitted that he did not attend the Nigerian Law School, which is a mandatory requirement to practice law in Nigeria.
Legal experts note that without completing the Law School programme and being called to the Bar, an individual cannot legally present themselves as a lawyer or represent clients in court.
The EFCC confirmed that Anoruo will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
