Six individuals were on Tuesday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo, Ogun State, for allegedly impersonating legal practitioners and unlawfully preparing land documents.
The accused — Rebecca Adeola (32), Moses Toviesi (23), Abimbola Opeyemi (43), Precious Oluwole (18), Eniola Sowunmi (33), and Agbona Abdulrahman (36) — are facing a three-count charge bordering on impersonation, illegal preparation of legal documents, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the offences were committed within the Isabo area of Abeokuta.
He alleged that the defendants unlawfully paraded themselves as lawyers and prepared land documents without proper authorization.
Olu-Balogun further stated that their activities came to light after members of the Nigerian Bar Association posed as clients to confirm the suspects’ illegal dealings, leading to their arrest.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 22 of the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Section 3 of the Land Instruments Preparation Law of Ogun State 2006, and Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State 2006.
Magistrate Mrs. A.K. Araba granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a civil servant under the Ogun State Government and present valid proof of tax payment.
The magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The case was adjourned until December 3 for further hearing.
