Impostor ‘Fake’ Lawyer Arrested in Kenya:
In a startling case of deception, a ‘fake’ lawyer who managed to secure victories in all 26 of his legal cases without any legal training has been apprehended in Kenya.
This imposter, practicing under the alias Brian Mwenda, stands accused of masquerading as a genuine lawyer, having stolen the identity of a real attorney named Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, as reported by the BBC.
A Charade in the Legal Realm:
Despite lacking any formal legal education, this ‘fake lawyer’ remarkably emerged victorious in 26 cases presented across various Kenyan courts, a baffling feat that drew the attention of local media and legal authorities.
Arrested Amid Public Outrage:
The charade came to an abrupt end as the Rapid Action Team of the Nairobi Branch of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) took action.
Public outrage and numerous complaints prompted the arrest of the imposter, who had manipulated the LSK’s portal and tampered with the account details of an individual sharing the same name.
He went as far as uploading his own picture and falsely claiming to be trained in law.
The Real Brian Mwenda Ntwiga’s Plight:
The ‘real’ Brian Mwenda Ntwiga became aware of the deception when he could no longer access his account and noticed significant changes in his account details.
The LSK issued a statement, explaining that the true Brian Mwenda Ntwiga had been admitted to the Bar in August 2022, and an account had been established for him in the Advocates portal.
However, he had not applied for a practicing certificate since his admission because he had been working at the Office of the Attorney General, where such a certificate was unnecessary.
The issue arose in September 2023 when he attempted to log in and activate his profile to apply for the Practicing Certificate but discovered that he could no longer access his LSK Portal.
Official Response and Public Reactions:
The LSK’s Nairobi Branch has clarified that “BRIAN MWENDA NJAGI is not an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya” from their records, nor is he a member of the Branch.
This revelation stirred a mix of reactions, with legal officials expressing outrage at the audacity of the imposter, while some commended his audacious feat, considering him a ‘brilliant young mind’ who succeeded ‘without traditional qualifications.’
Awaiting Legal Consequences:
The director of public prosecutions in Kenya, Renson Mulele Ingonga, has indicated that Mr. Mwenda may face prosecution.
He instructed the Inspector General of the National Police Service to conduct an investigation into the matter, emphasizing the increasing prevalence of “unqualified persons… pretending to be Advocates of the High Court of Kenya.”
The case continues to unravel, revealing a bizarre legal masquerade that has left Kenya both baffled and divided.