Court remands man over impersonation of JAMB registrar, fraud

The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded Arinze Nwogba at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered Nwogba’s remand on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to six counts filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police.

The judge fixed October 7, 2026, to rule on Nwogba’s bail application and October 19 for the commencement of trial.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, was filed through the Force Legal Department. The charges, dated September 18 and filed on September 21, were presented by police prosecutor Samuel Mallum.

According to the prosecution, Nwogba and other suspects still at large allegedly impersonated the JAMB registrar sometime in 2026 and used his identity to facilitate fraudulent activities.

The police alleged that Nwogba used Aina’s photograph as the profile picture on WhatsApp and Truecaller linked to telephone number 08139433155, allegedly to obtain financial advantage.

The alleged offences contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

After the charges were read to him in court, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all six counts.

His lawyer, Christian Ejike, subsequently urged the court to grant the defendant bail, informing the judge that a bail application had been filed on September 23 and served on the prosecution.

The prosecution confirmed receipt of the application but opposed it, urging the court to dismiss the request.

In its counter-affidavit, the police alleged that some claims contained in Nwogba’s affidavit were false and speculative. The prosecution also argued that he might evade justice or fail to attend trial if released.

The police, however, said that if the court decided to grant bail, strict conditions should be imposed to ensure his attendance throughout the proceedings.

The prosecution told the court that its witnesses and exhibits were ready and that it was prepared for an expedited trial.

According to the police, the investigation began after the JAMB registrar petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over suspected criminal groups allegedly using his name and photographs without his knowledge or authorisation.

The suspects allegedly published the phone number 08139433155 on LinkedIn and directed prospective victims to contact them through WhatsApp.

The prosecution said investigators subsequently engaged the operators of the advertised number, who allegedly claimed to be Aina and told a prospective victim that he wanted to offer a contract.

The suspect allegedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops under a digitisation programme.

The police further alleged that the suspect introduced a purported personal assistant, identified as Dr Stephen Igwe, to handle arrangements for the contract.

According to the prosecution, the suspect demanded an initial N900,000 allegedly to facilitate the contract and later requested another N3m purportedly for the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Education.

An Access Bank account, 1572799985, bearing the name Edeh Chimezie Benedict, was allegedly provided for the payments.

The police said Nwogba, who was allegedly operating under the name Dr Stephen Igwe, was later arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

During interrogation, he allegedly claimed that the bank account belonged to his late nephew, who died in April 2026 and was buried on July 31.

The police further alleged that Nwogba admitted forwarding the account details to his cousin, Nnabuiife Nwekpa of Onitsha, Anambra State, for use in the alleged fraudulent activities.

Nwekpa, whom the police identified as the person allegedly using Aina’s identity, remains at large, according to the prosecution.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest him.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ibrahim ordered Nwogba’s remand and adjourned the case until October 7 for ruling on the bail application and October 19 for trial.