Six individuals were dragged to court yesterday in Abeokuta for allegedly impersonating lawyers and illegally preparing land documents.

The defendants — Rebecca Adeola (32), Moses Toviesi (23), Abimbola Opeyemi (43), Precious Oluwole (18), Eniola Sowunmi (33), and Agbona Abdulrahman (36) — appeared before a Chief Magistrate Court in Isabo, facing a three-count charge of impersonation, unlawful preparation of land documents, and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

All six pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendants unlawfully used the title of legal practitioner to prepare land documents without authorization. He added that their actions were likely to cause public unrest.

According to the prosecution, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had approached the defendants while posing as clients, which ultimately led to their arrest. The offences, the prosecutor stated, contravene the Legal Practitioners Act, the Land Instruments Preparation Law of Ogun State, and the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State.

Magistrate Mrs. A.K. Araba granted the defendants bail of one million naira each, with two sureties per person. She specified that one surety must be a blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second must be gainfully employed by the Ogun State Government and provide tax payment evidence.

The court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Service until their bails are perfected.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about fraudulent legal activities and the need for vigilance to protect citizens from unauthorized legal practices.