JAMB Registrar Impersonator Remanded in Kuje

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of one Arinze Nwogba in Kuje Correctional Centre, over allegations that he impersonated Professor Segun Aina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), for financial gain.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a short ruling delivered on Friday, held that Nwogba would remain in custody pending a decision on his bail application, which was moved by his lawyer, Christian Ejike. The judge fixed October 7, at noon, for a ruling on the bail application, and adjourned the matter to October 19 for the commencement of trial.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the case was brought by the Inspector-General of Police, who filed the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, against Nwogba as the sole defendant. The charge, dated September 18 and filed on September 21 by Samuel Mallum, contains six counts against the defendant.

In one of the counts, Nwogba, who resides at Number 16, Emeka Egbe, by Roban Stores, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, is alleged to have, along with others said to be at large, impersonated Professor Aina sometime in 2026. He is accused of registering his picture on a WhatsApp profile and on the Truecaller application, using a phone number linked to the alleged impersonation, with the intent of gaining financial advantage for himself. The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 22(3)(a)(b) and (4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

When the case was called, police lawyer Nonso Eleodimuo informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for Nwogba's arraignment. The defence counsel did not oppose the application. After the six counts were read to him, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the prosecution sought a trial date.

Ejike did not object to the prosecution's request for a trial date, but informed the court that he had already filed a motion for bail on September 23. He said the prosecution had been served with the application and had since responded to it. Eleodimuo confirmed receipt of the bail application and noted that a counter-affidavit, dated October 2, had also been filed and served on the defence. Moving the application, Ejike asked the court to admit Nwogba to bail on liberal terms, while the prosecution counsel urged the court to dismiss the bail request.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter until October 7 for a ruling on the bail application and fixed October 19 for the commencement of trial.

The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of JAMB's leadership and public-facing operations following Professor Aina's recent appointment as Registrar, during which the examination body has publicly emphasised service delivery reforms, including clearing a backlog of candidate complaints within his first days in office. Impersonation of senior public officials for financial gain, particularly through social media and messaging platforms, has remained a recurring concern for Nigerian regulatory and educational agencies, with such schemes often targeting unsuspecting members of the public seeking assistance with examination-related or admission matters.

As the matter proceeds, the court's ruling on the bail application, expected on October 7, will determine whether Nwogba remains in custody ahead of his trial, which is scheduled to begin on October 19.