A Chief Magistrate Court No. 9 in Gombe on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 36-year-old man, Freedom Nweke, popularly known as Andre A Lion, at the Gombe Medium Custodial Centre over alleged impersonation as a legal practitioner.
The defendant, who hails from Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, is accused of falsely presenting himself as a lawyer and operating a law firm in Gombe.
The state prosecutor, Barrister B.A. Mahmoud, told the court that between July 2025 and March 2026, Nweke allegedly operated a law firm under the business name Diamond Chambers, located at Umma Plaza, Sabonline, Gombe.
Mahmoud alleged that the defendant paraded himself as Barrister Andre A Lion and received a courtesy visit from executives of the Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe State Branch, who believed he was a member of the legal profession.
According to the prosecutor, “The defendant presented himself as a legal practitioner and operated a law firm despite not being a registered lawyer.”
He said the alleged offence contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code Law.
When the charge was read to him, Nweke pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, Barrister E.C. Uwakwe, subsequently made an oral application for bail, relying on Section 177 of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Uwakwe urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that, “The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and we urge the court to admit him to bail in line with the provisions of the law.”
He also indicated the defence’s willingness to explore a plea bargain arrangement.
The court, presided over by Honourable Justice Aliyu Adamu Galadima, ordered the defendant’s remand at the Gombe Medium Custodial Centre and adjourned the case until November 17, 2026, to enable the defence counsel to file a formal bail application.
Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe State Branch, attended the proceedings to watch the case.
They included K.K. Jimoh, Esq.; Babangida Sambo, Esq.; Hayatu, Esq.; and F.T. Waziri, Esq.