A Magistrate Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of Oruhu Emmanuel Odey, who is standing trial for allegedly impersonating a lawyer and defrauding a medical practitioner of N18.5 million in a property transaction.
The defendant was recently arrested by operatives from the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, Osogbo for defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of over N50m.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara on a four-count charge of impersonation, fraud, stealing, and forgery.
Prosecutor Saheed Anifowose told the court that between December 15, 2020, and May 9, 2021, Odey allegedly presented himself as a legal practitioner to Dr. Olujuwon Philips Towoju and facilitated the purchase of two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.
According to Anifowose, the defendant collected N18.5 million from Towoju under the false pretence of acting as a lawyer, an offence that contravenes Section 419 of the Criminal Code.
The prosecutor also alleged that Odey stole the same amount belonging to Towoju, in violation of Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code.
In addition, Odey was accused of forging the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stamp and seal, which he allegedly affixed to a petition written to the Ogun State Police Command. The act, Anifowose said, breached Section 467 of the Criminal Code.
During the proceedings, Magistrate Ayilara recalled that the accused had once appeared before him in 2020, a claim Odey confirmed.
The defendant, who did not have legal representation in court, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and informed the magistrate that he is currently studying Law at Benue State University.
The case drew significant attention from members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo Branch, with former chairman Yemi Abiona, current chairman Mauruf Adediran, and six other lawyers present to represent the association, which is listed as a nominal complainant
Magistrate Ayilara ordered Odey’s remand at the Ilesa Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until October 21 for mention.
