A Chief Magistrate Court in Gombe State has ordered the remand of a 36-year-old man, Freedom Nweke, popularly known as Andre A. Lion, over allegations that he impersonated a lawyer and operated a law firm without being registered as a legal practitioner.
The court directed that Nweke be held at the Gombe Medium Custodial Centre following his arraignment over the alleged offence.
The defendant, who is from Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, was accused of running a law firm known as Diamond Chambers at Umma Plaza, Sabonline, Gombe.
The state prosecutor, Barrister B.A. Mahmoud, told the court that Nweke allegedly operated the firm between July 2025 and March 2026, presenting himself to members of the public as Barrister Andre A. Lion.
Mahmoud further alleged that executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State Branch, once paid him a courtesy visit, believing that he was a member of the legal profession.
The prosecutor said the alleged conduct contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code Law.
When the charge was read to him, Nweke pleaded not guilty.
His 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 bail, stressing that his client remained presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also indicated the defence’s willingness to explore a plea bargain arrangement.
However, the court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Aliyu Adamu Galadima, ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody.
The matter was adjourned until November 17, 2026, to allow the defence to file a formal bail application.
Some members of the NBA Gombe State Branch attended the proceedings to observe the case.
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