Justice Okechukwu Onunkwo of the Anambra State High Court in Otuocha has sentenced Obinna Oraezue to 90 days in prison on Wednesday for impersonating a lawyer. Oraezue was remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Centre with hard labor for contempt of court after being arrested at the High Court in Otuocha several weeks ago for falsely presenting himself as a lawyer.
The
sentencing followed a viral video circulating on social media showing Oraezue
being interrogated by Justice Onunkwo during court proceedings and subsequently
handed over to security operatives. During his arraignment, Oraezue admitted to
studying Political Science, not Law, and confessed that economic hardship led
him to take up legal practice without qualification.
In his
ruling, Justice Onunkwo imposed a three-month sentence with hard labor, effective
from June 13, 2024, when Oraezue was arrested. The judge cited Oraezue's
remorse in mitigating the severity of the sentence, emphasizing that it should
deter others from similar misconduct.
Legal
practitioner Uzochukwu Ozumba remarked that the court's leniency was
appropriate given Oraezue's contrition but warned against future attempts to
deceive the legal system. The Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Bar
Association expressed satisfaction with the ruling, believing it will
discourage others from engaging in such deceptive practices.
"It
is a good development," the NBA stated in a release. "The ruling,
although lenient, will serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate such
actions."
Post a Comment