Drama in Lagos Court as Judge Orders Arrest of Alleged Fake Lawyer

Drama unfolded at the Lagos State High Court on Thursday when a judge ordered the arrest of a man who allegedly appeared in court dressed as a lawyer to represent a client.

The man, who was wearing a lawyer’s wig and gown, reportedly came before the court to handle a case before his status as a legal practitioner was questioned.

A video of the incident circulating online captured the judge ordering the man to remove his wig and directing security personnel to take him into custody.

“Remove that wig. I’m ordering his arrest right away. Police, arrest him!” the judge was heard saying in the footage.

The judge later described the man as an alleged impostor and instructed officers to remove his wig and gown, insisting that he was not a lawyer.

“Officer, there’s an impostor here. This man is not a lawyer. Remove your wig and gown. You are not a lawyer. I want you to arrest him,” the judge said.

The incident reportedly became more tense when the man allegedly attempted to leave the courtroom after the arrest order was issued.

The development has drawn attention to the issue of legal impersonation, particularly the use of lawyers’ attire and credentials by individuals who are not qualified to practise law.

It also comes about a month after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja convicted a 55-year-old man for impersonating a legal practitioner and fraudulently using a counterfeit seal of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The latest incident has once again highlighted concerns over the need to verify the credentials of individuals appearing before Nigerian courts as legal practitioners.