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 alleged impersonation as a legal practitioner and possession of a forged Nigerian Bar Association seal.
Anoruo, who operates a legal and educational consultancy in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, was picked up on Monday, April 20, 2026, following investigations triggered by documents he submitted to the EFCC in a dispute involving Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.
According to a post obtained from EFCC’s X account on Tuesday, an EFCC investigator familiar with the case said the alarm was raised after inconsistencies were discovered in official-looking documents submitted by the suspect.
“Preliminary findings showed that both the petition and the withdrawal letter he submitted carried a suspicious NBA seal. This prompted further verification, which confirmed the seal was not authentic,” the investigator said.
According to the EFCC, further investigation revealed that a Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, also bore the same questionable seal, strengthening suspicions of document forgery.
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During interrogation, Anoruo allegedly admitted that he obtained the seal from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.
“He confessed to getting the seal from a business centre, which is part of what is now being investigated further,” another EFCC official disclosed.
The suspect also claimed to have earned a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, through evening programmes.
However, he admitted he did not attend the Nigerian Law School, a mandatory requirement for anyone seeking to practice law in Nigeria.
Legal practitioners note that attendance at the Nigerian Law School and subsequent call to the bar are essential steps before one can legally represent clients as a lawyer in the country.
The EFCC confirmed that Anoruo will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
