Obinna Orezue, a 30-year-old from Abba, Anambra State, was sentenced today to 90 days imprisonment with hard labour for contempt of court at the Otuocha High Court 2 Division.
The presiding judge delivered a detailed and authoritative verdict after Orezue was caught impersonating a lawyer.
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Last week, Orezue was arrested while attempting to represent the plaintiff in case no. OT/120/2022. During the proceedings, his lack of legal knowledge became apparent when he could not correctly answer a question about procedural actions if a defendant failed to file a process.
Despite assistance from another lawyer, Orezue was unable to repeat the correct information, raising suspicions about his qualifications.
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Further investigation revealed inconsistencies in his educational background.
Initially, Orezue claimed to have graduated from universities in Kano and UNIZIK in 2015, but later changed his story, stating he attended the University of Igbariam and was called to the bar in 2019.
Under pressure, he confessed to studying political science, not law, and admitted to facing financial hardships.
Orezue pleaded for leniency, citing his responsibility to support his five children and unemployed wife.
His wife also pleaded emotionally for mercy.
However, the judge emphasized the seriousness of his offense and sentenced him accordingly.
Additionally, Orezue’s employer, the law firm M.T OLISE-EKE based in Onitsha, had not received his credentials prior to the incident.
The judge has summoned the employer to court next Wednesday for further clarification and potential prosecution.
