70-Year-Old Impostor Poses as Lawyer, Faces Legal Consequences

In an unexpected turn of events at the Amasaman Circuit Court on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, a 70-year-old man, Nii Bi Griffiths Dodoo, arrived dressed in the traditional regalia of a lawyer, but his appearance took a drastic twist when he ended up in police custody.

Dodoo was originally supposed to represent a defendant before the court, but his true identity was exposed, leading to his arrest.

The alarming incident unfolded when the presiding judge, during the proceedings of Suit No. C1/33/2023 titled “Rev. Dr. Samuel Adu VRS Nii Osabu Akwei 1,” discovered that Dodoo was not a registered lawyer and did not belong to any licensed law firm.

Acting promptly, the judge ordered Dodoo’s arrest, citing impersonation and unlawful practice of law.

According to sources, Dodoo had presented himself as legal counsel for the defendant, even providing a purported practice license number and law firm affiliation.

However, a document from the General Legal Council (GLC), dated July 23, 2023, and signed by the Secretary of the GLC, Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, revealed Dodoo’s true status as an imposter.

The subsequent arrest was nothing short of dramatic, with court warrant officers assisting the court registrar in apprehending Dodoo right after the judge’s order. He was then transferred to the Amasaman Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and detention.

As the case continues to unravel, Dodoo is set to face trial on charges of impersonation and unlawful practice as a lawyer, both of which are contrary to the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29) of 1960.

The police are actively investigating the matter, delving into the extent of Dodoo’s deceptive activities and whether he has duped others with his false identity in the legal realm.

The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the checks and balances within the legal profession’s registration and verification processes.

It serves as a reminder that even in the most unexpected scenarios, the law will catch up to those who seek to deceive the system for personal gain.