A Chief Magistrate Court, Court No. 9, in Gombe ordered his remand on Tuesday, November 10.
Nweke, who hails from Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, is accused of falsely presenting himself as a lawyer and running a law firm in Gombe.
The state prosecutor, Barrister B.A. Mahmoud, told the court that the defendant allegedly operated a law firm under the business name Diamond Chambers, located at Umma Plaza, Sabonline, Gombe, between July 2025 and March 2026.
Mahmoud alleged that Nweke presented himself as Barrister Andre A. Lion and received a courtesy visit from executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State Branch, who believed he was a member of the legal profession.
“The defendant presented himself as a legal practitioner and operated a law firm despite not being a registered lawyer,” the prosecutor said.
He added that the alleged offence contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code Law.
When the charge was read to him, Nweke pleaded not guilty.
His 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 he was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He also indicated the defence's willingness to explore a plea bargain arrangement.
However, the court, presided over by Honourable Justice Aliyu Adamu Galadima, ordered Nweke's remand at the Gombe Medium Custodial Centre.
The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, to allow the defence counsel to file a formal bail application.
Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe State Branch, attended the proceedings.
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