The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, as part of an alleged contract fraud scheme.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered Nwogba’s remand on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to six counts brought against him by the Inspector-General of Police. The judge ruled that Nwogba would remain in custody pending a decision on his bail application, which was argued by his lawyer, Christian Ejike. Justice Ibrahim fixed October 7 at noon to rule on the bail request and adjourned the case until October 19 for the commencement of trial.
The Inspector-General of Police filed the six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, against Nwogba on September 21.
Prosecutors alleged that Nwogba, who resides in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, conspired with other suspects who remain at large to fraudulently impersonate the JAMB registrar in 2026. According to the charge, Nwogba allegedly used Prof. Aina’s image on WhatsApp and Truecaller in connection with a telephone number as part of an attempt to obtain financial benefits. The alleged offence was brought under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
When the charges were read to him, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all six counts. Police prosecutor Nonso Eleodimuo subsequently asked the court to fix a date for trial. Ejike did not oppose the request but informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application on September 23. After moving the application, Ejike urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Nwogba could evade justice if released.
In a counter-affidavit, Gregory Woje, a clerk at the Directorate of Legal Services at Force Headquarters in Abuja, disputed several claims contained in the defendant’s bail application. Woje argued that there was a likelihood Nwogba would fail to appear for trial if granted bail. “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.
He added that bail conditions were at the discretion of the court and said prosecutors were ready to proceed with the case because witnesses and exhibits were available. “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/respondent will be prejudiced if the application of the applicant is granted,” Woje said. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ibrahim adjourned until October 7 to rule on the bail application. According to the prosecution’s account of the case, the investigation began after JAMB’s registrar submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police concerning people allegedly using his name, photographs and a telephone number without his knowledge or authorisation.
Police alleged that the suspects used the registrar’s identity to deceive members of the public and advertised a telephone number on LinkedIn, directing potential victims to communicate with them through WhatsApp.
Investigators said they contacted the suspects through the advertised WhatsApp number as part of their investigation.
“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,” the prosecution alleged.
According to court documents, one message attributed to the alleged impersonators 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.” Prosecutors alleged that the person posing as the JAMB registrar then provided the contact details of a supposed personal assistant identified as “Dr Stephen Igwe,” who would allegedly make arrangements for the contract.
The prosecution claimed the suspects requested an initial N900,000 payment described as money for a “handshake” and subsequently demanded another N3 million purportedly intended for the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Education. “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,” the prosecution alleged.
Police said an Access Bank account was provided and that the initial N900,000 was allegedly requested to bribe officials at the minister’s office. The prosecution alleged that Nwogba operated under the name “Dr Stephen Igwe” and was subsequently arrested in Abakaliki.
Police further claimed that Nwogba told investigators that the bank account details used in the alleged scheme belonged to his late nephew and that he had forwarded the information to his cousin, Nnabuife Nwekpa. “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,” police said. Nwogba has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
