The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted Mr Arinze Nwogba to a N50 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday , held that the offence Nwogba allegedly committed was a bailable one, which is not a capital offence for which the punishment is death.
“From the affidavit of the defendant/applicant, he has alluded to the fact that he will not jump bail and he will present himself for trial which is the hallmark in bail application.”
The judge, who said granting bail is discretionary power of the court, admitted him to N50 million bail with two sureties.
He ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant, not less than Grade Level 14 in the federal civil service.
According to Justice Ibrahim, each of the sureties must be resident within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with one of the sureties residing either at Asokoro, Maitama, or Guzape.
The judge ordered that each of the sureties must depose to affidavit of means.
He ruled that each of the sureties shall submit his or her tax clearance certificate for the past two years.
The judge directed the defendant and the sureties to submit their photocopies of their national identification slips.
He also directed the registrar of the court to verify the bail documents and issue a report and sign, as well as the prosecution.
Justice Ibrahim, therefore, ordered Nwogba to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail terms.
He 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 is prosecuting Nwogba for allegedly impersonating to be Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The I-G, in the six-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, sued Nwogba as sole defendant
The defendant, who was arraigned on Friday by the police, was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application filed by his lawyer.
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 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.
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 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 arrangement 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 Abakallki in Ebonyi.
“He confessed that the account details belong to his late nephew who died in April 2026 and was buried on July 31.
“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 told the court. (NAN)
