EFCC arrests fake lawyer over N7m scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested one ThankGod Echem, a fake lawyer, for defrauding his client of seven million naira in Port Harcourt.

A statement by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, in Abuja said on Monday that Echem, who confessed to being a school certificate holder, was arrested following a petition to the EFCC by one of his clients, Mr Jonny Wali.

He said, “Wali alleged that the fake lawyer defrauded him of seven million, being part of the money awarded him by a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.

“The money was compensation in a legal battle involving Wali and former Power Holding Company of Nigeria now Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company.

“Wali sued the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in a matter bordering on land trespass in suit number PHC/468/09 before Justice W.A.Chey Chey of the Rivers State High Court.

“Wali was awarded 10 million naira as compensation.”

He added that the company, however, failed to pay the compensation to him.

He said, “In seeking payment of the money, Wali employed the legal services of Thankgod Okachi Echem and Felix Agbarake.

“In 2015, the court ruled in his favour and granted him eight million naira as the accumulated interest on the 10 million naira.

“The sum of 18 million naira was consequently paid by the electricity company to him through Echem’s chambers.”

He said Echem connived with his colleague and opened an account with a first generation bank.

“The account was opened in Wali`s name without his consent. Seven million naira was paid into it and cashed (withdrawn).

“When Echem was confronted with these facts, he confessed that he was just a school certificate holder posing as a lawyer.

“A search was conducted in his house and yielded some incriminating documents including a wig and robe belonging to ThankGod Okachi Echem,’’ Uwujaren said.

He said Echem and “his professional colleague’’ Agbarake, would be arraigned soon.

(NAN)