A controversial Nigerian lawyer has found himself in serious trouble after he reportedly duped a businessman.
Emeka Ugwuonye
A Nigerian man by name Okoro Chigbo Augustine is begging for justice after he was reportedly duped by a controversial lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye.
Narrating how he was duped, Augustine wrote:
"Men are the worse hit when it comes to Emeka Uguwuonye and DUE PROCESS ADVOCATE. I was a strong believer in the essence of DPA. I gladly registered and paid N6,000 and we were informed that once you are registered member you will get free legal service. I was very ok with it.
In November last year, a customer came to buy Jeep and deposited 800k out of the N2.8million we agreed on with a promise to pay the balance in 3days. After one month, I called the man to come and take his money as I couldn't wait for him again, he gave all manner of excuses promised to come but didn't. January this year another buyer came for the jeep, I called the man to come immediately to either pay the balance or collect his deposit. He did not show up.
In April, (6months after initial Deposit),the man came saying he wanted to pay the balance of 2million.I told him sincerely that I had been calling him non stop in regards to the car with no positive lead from him and I couldn’t continue to tie down a tokunbo car for more than 6months with the only 800k he paid so the jeep has been sold as at that time.
He complained to our union, I told them when he deposited the money and when the jeep was eventually sold. They blamed him for staying away so long (6months) before coming for the jeep. He was advised to take his money, he agreed but I didn't have all the cash to give him as he did not inform me of his coming. I gave him 400k asked him to come in two weeks to collect his balance. On the 12th of May, 2017, as I was offloading my vehicle with other goods the man came with a team of police men from SARS said that there was a petition against me that am owning the said man N14million and threatened his life. I was asked to accompany them to Ikeja. I told them that what I have with that man is a business transaction and that I cannot leave my goods to follow them.
My refusal to follow them caused alot of argument that is why they put handcuffs on me saying that I was stubborn. When we got to their office (SARS) at Ikeja with members of our union and other friends we told them everything, showed them the agreement that the man's money is just N400k not 14million as he claimed. They nearly detained the man for telling them lies and I was released immediately and asked us to come back 18th May so that we can discuss the payment plan for his remaining 400k balance . The next day, I called Barrister Emeka Ugwuonye and informed him all that happened, that am bitter about the handcuff and how i was treated. Emeka Ugwuonye said he was going to sue the Police for taking such extreme measures. Emeka asked me to come to his house at Ikoyi on 15th May. On getting there, he said that as a registered member I should pay N200k instead of 400k. I told him that I will pay N100k; first N50k and N50k later but he insisted that I should pay N100k and pay N100k later. I agreed next day I paid him N100k and he confirmed it and told me that he will write a warning letter to Commissioner of Police copying the IG give them 7days to apologise to me or he sue them to court.
Tuesday 16th I sent a message to Emeka and he said that he was working on it. Wednesday 17th, I reminded him again he replied that they are still working on it. 18th the appointment day,I called him he asked me not to go that he will send a lawyer to go on my behalf. The police kept calling me I didn't go. On Friday, they called my surety and told him that if he did not produce me that he will be arrested. I started calling Emeka and was surprised when he refused to pick my calls or reply my messages. When the pressure became unbearable, I had no other option than to look for another lawyer who will accompany me to SARS. On getting there they turn the matter saying that I have jumped bail. After we settled that accusation, it was resolved that the money should take his balance and not expect interest since he was in the wrong. They appealed to me to help him get a car with the amount he had available. And it was settled. Everybody was happy. There was no detention no issues.
On the Sunday of that same week, I saw Emeka online and I asked him for my money since he did not render any service and refused to pick my calls when I needed him most. He assured me he will open a file for me on Monday, but I explained to him that since he did not pick my calls or answer my messages, I had to hire another lawyer to help me out and his advice not to go there almost cost me a detention. But the lawyer I hired resolved all the issues. I demanded for my money back since no assistance came from him; I was abandoned to my fate with a bad advice. He refused to refund me my money.
After all diplomatic efforts to get it failed, I had no choice than to come to public and ask for my money which he is using to blackmail me claiming I commited a crime and was detained and he spoke to the DPO to release me, he did not need to be there. It was a blatant lie. He did not speak to anyone one. I went back to ask but was told no such lawyer called concerning my case besides,I wasn't guilty of any offense rather than the offense Emeka would have roped me in when he advised me against going to the police station.
I am not worried about the name calling or blackmailing. Please tell the big shot lawyer to refund my N100k. I do not scam people to make money. Also, if we are paying N6,000 for registration, how much has DPA gathered so far? How come we dont get free legal representation after we pay the 6k since that was the yardstick? After you are paid for a job Emeka Ugwuonye,Why do you refuse to render the service and refuse to refund us?Why do you result to blackmail when a refund is requested? I smell a rat."
See evidence of conversation between Emeka and Okoro