According to a statement released by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ade Ogunyemi, Odeh was apprehended by operatives of the X-Squad Section of the Zone, led by ACP Akinloye Oyegade. He was arrested on Thursday, August 28, at a court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while appearing in court as counsel for an unsuspecting client.

“Emmanuel Odeh was arrested at the premises of a court in Abeokuta while posing as a legal representative,” the statement read. “Preliminary investigations reveal he had been practicing under the name ‘A.O. Emmanuel, Legal Practitioner and Public Consultant,’ despite having no legal qualifications.”

Ogunyemi added that Odeh had allegedly defrauded numerous Nigerians over the years by offering bogus legal services, estate agency assistance, and public consultancy under false pretenses.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI Headquarters, Osogbo, AIG Emuobo Ekokotu, urged Nigerians to exercise caution and verify the credentials of legal professionals before engaging their services.

“This case highlights the serious risks of dealing with unverified individuals claiming to be lawyers,” Ekokotu warned. “Victims of such impostors not only face financial loss but also risk compromised legal representation and reputational damage.”

He emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to rooting out impersonators and protecting the public from fraud.

Source: Punch