By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
Justice A.M. Lawal of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced 55-year-old John Nwawuto Anoruo for impersonation and possessing a counterfeited Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal.
The conviction was announced in a press release by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Anoruo, who ran a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, Lagos, was arrested on April 20, 2026.
The case originated from a September 22, 2025 petition Anoruo filed with the EFCC against the management of Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited on behalf of clients. A subsequent petition dated April 14, 2026, submitted by legal practitioner Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, alerted the EFCC that Anoruo was fraudulently posing as a lawyer.
Forged Credentials: The NBA seal used by Anoruo carried Supreme Court number SCN037400, which lawfully belonged to a licensed attorney. Anoruo admitted to purchasing the seal at a Lagos business center.
Educational Status: While Anoruo obtained a law degree via evening classes from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2018, he never attended the Nigerian Law School nor was he called to the Nigerian Bar.
Financial Proceeds: Anoruo earned ₦7,500,000 from the brief. He paid ₦2,500,000 to the person who introduced the case and ₦1,500,000 to a qualified lawyer hired to handle the matter.
Recovered Exhibits: Anoruo arrived for questioning dressed in full legal practitioner attire. A search of his home yielded the counterfeit seal.
Prosecution counsel Saadatu Mahmud Yabo arraigned Anoruo on August 4, 2026, on a two-count charge:
Count 1: Fraudulent use of a counterfeited NBA seal under Section 366(1), punishable under Section 365(1)(x) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count 2: Impersonating a legal practitioner under Section 382 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Anoruo pleaded guilty. Defense counsel G.E. Demkemefa raised no objections as the court admitted nine exhibits into evidence, including the fake seal, legal attire, official responses from the Supreme Court and Body of Benchers, and a ₦300,000 bank draft paid into the EFCC recovery account.
Justice Lawal convicted Anoruo on both counts. Following an allocutus where defense counsel highlighted that Anoruo was a first-time offender and sole breadwinner for a family of seven, the court opted for fines over imprisonment:
Count 1 Fine: ₦120,000
Count 2 Fine: ₦150,000
Total Fine: ₦270,000 (payable to the Lagos State Judiciary)
The court also ordered the permanent forfeiture of the recovered legal attire and forged NBA seal to the Federal Government.
