The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered a remand of Arinze Nwogba in Kuje Correctional Centre for allegedly impersonating Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a short ruling, held that Nwogba would be in custody pending the ruling on his bail application which was moved by his lawyer, Christian Ejike.
Justice Ibrahim then fixed Oct. 7 at noon for a ruling on the application and adjourned the matter until Oct. 19 for commencement of his trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, sued Nwogba as sole defendant.
The I-G, in the charge dated Sept. 18 and filed Sept. 21 by Samuel Mallum, preferred six counts against the defendant.
In one of the counts, Nwogba, who resides at No. 16, Emeka Egbe by Roban Stores, Abakaliki in Ebonyi, and others now at large, were alleged to have, sometime in the year 2026, fraudulently impersonated the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Aina.
The defendant was alleged to have registered his picture on WhatsApp profile and Truecaller on telephone number: 08139433155 with the intent to gain financial advantage for himself.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3)(a)(b) & (4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 Amended 2024.
When the case was called, the police lawyer, Nonso Eleodimuo, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for Nwogba’s arraignment.
The defence lawyer did not oppose the application.
After the charge was read to him, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all six counts and the prosecuting counsel sought a trial date.
Responding, Ejike did not raise objection to Eleodimuo’s application for a date for trial but he told the court that he had a motion for bail filed on Sept. 23.
The lawyer said the prosecution had been served and responded to their application for bail.
Eleodimuo, who acknowledged the receipt of the bail application, said a counter affidavit, dated Oct. 2, had also been filed and served on the defence.
After moving the application, Ejike prayed the court to admit Nwogba to bail on liberal terms.
The Prosecution Counsel in his response, urged the court to dismiss Nwogba’s application for bail.
In a counter affidavit deposed to by Gregory Woje, a clerk at the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters in Abuja, stated that majority of the paragraphs in Nwogba’s affidavit in support of his bail application were false.
Woje averred that the defendant’s affidavit was speculative and were facts within the knowledge of the defendant, which are extraneous to the case.
The officer told the court that if granted bail, there was likelihood of Nwogba evading justice.
He added that the defendant would not appear in court to stand trial for the case against him.
“That assuming the court is minded to grant bail, it is for the court to do so considering the punishment upon conviction and upon terms that will ensure the defendant/applicant attend his trial,” he said.
Woje stated that bail conditions are at the discretion of the court and not for the defendant to decide.
The officer said the I-G was ready “to prosecute the case expeditiously as all the exhibits and witnesses are ready for the trial.”
“That if the defendant/applicant is granted bail and abscond from trial, it will be a clog on the whole proceedings before this court.
“That the complainant/redpondent will be prejudiced if the application of the applicant is granted,” he said.
Justice Ibrahim after listening to the parties’ arguments, adjourned until Oct. 7 for ruling on the bail and fixed Oct. 19 for trial.
The prosecution, in the brief facts of the case, said a petition was written and submitted to the I-G by the board registrar concerning the activities of some suspected criminal gangs who fraudulently registered and are using the telephone number 08139433155 and using the name and pictures of Prof. Aina without his knowledge and authority.
The police alleged that these individuals were using the identity of the JAMB registrar to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
It said they equally went on LinkedIn and published the said number where they directed unsuspecting innocent citizens to contact them only through WhatsApp using the number.
“The investigating team decided to engage the fraudsters directly using the WhatsApp number he advertised on LinkedIn.
“The fraudsters who already used the image of JAMB registrar as profile pictures both on WhatsApp and Truecaller in order to deceive innocent Nigerians informed his victims that he wants to offer them a contract and he has obtained necessary approvals from the Minister of Education.”
According to the document, in his text message on WhatsApp, he stated, “Federal Ministry of Education Abuja has approved the supply of 200 units of HP laptops to us as a part of our digitization programs.”
It alleged that the acclaimed JAMB registrar also sent the contact of his personal assistant as (07017626031) who he described as Dr Stephen Igwe and who would be representing him to make all the arrangements for the award of the contract.
“He equally directed that his PA will send an account number where he directed the sum of N900,000 to be paid for handshake.
“He equally ordered the payment of another three (3) million naira into the account for the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Education.
“He equally sent an Access Bank account number 1572799985 with account name: EDEH CHIMEZIE BENEDICT.
“He requested for an initial deposit of nine hundred thousand naira (N900,000) to be used to bribe the members of staff at the minister’s office,” the prosecution alleged, among others.
It said Nwogba whose operational name was Dr. Stephen Igwe, was subsequently arrested in Abakaliki in Ebonyi.
“He confessed that the account details belong to his late nephew who died in April 2026 and was buried on July 31st, 2026.
“He admitted that he actually forwarded the details of the account to his cousin, one NNABUIFE NWEKPA ‘M’ of Onitsha, Anambra State, to use for the fraudulent activity.
“The said NNABUIFE NWEKPA (the acclaimed fake JAMB Registrar) is now on the run and currently at large.
“Serious efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect,” the police said. (NAN)
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