The Federal High Court in Abuja has 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) for fraudulent activities. 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.
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 true caller on telephone number: 08139433155 with the intent to gain financial advantage to 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 the six counts and the prosecuting counsel sought a trial date.
The prosecution, in the brief fact 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.
According to the document, in his text message on WhatsApp, Nwogba 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 arrangement for the award of the contract.
Nwogba whose operational name was Dr. Stephen Igwe was subsequently arrested in Abakallki 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. Serious efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect, NNABUIFE NWEKPA, who is currently at large.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba in Kuje Correctional Centre for allegedly impersonating Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for fraudulent activities.
- Nwogba was alleged to have registered his picture on whatsapp profile and true caller on telephone number: 08139433155 with the intent to gain financial advantage to himself.
- The police are intensifying efforts to arrest NNABUIFE NWEKPA, who is currently at large and allegedly involved in the fraudulent activities with Nwogba.
