Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar Gets N50m Bail in Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Arinze Nwogba bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Segun Aina. Justice Salim Ibrahim, in his ruling on Thursday, held that the alleged offences were bailable and not capital offences punishable by death. The judge said bail remained a discretionary power of the court and noted Nwogba’s undertaking that he would not jump bail and would make himself available for trial. One of the sureties must be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 14 in the federal civil service, while both sureties must reside in the Federal Capital Territory. One must reside in either Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape. The court also ordered the sureties to submit affidavits of means and tax clearance certificates covering the previous two years, alongside photocopies of their national identification slips. Nwogba is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected, while the case has been adjourned to October 19 for trial.
The Inspector-General of Police is prosecuting Nwogba in a six-count charge over the alleged impersonation of the JAMB registrar and related fraudulent activities. According to the prosecution, a petition from Professor Aina led to an investigation into individuals allegedly using his photograph and telephone number on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn to deceive members of the public. Police alleged that the impersonators presented themselves as the JAMB registrar and offered a supposed contract to supply 200 HP laptops under a digitisation programme, claiming the project had been approved by the Federal Ministry of Education. The prosecution further alleged that victims were directed to pay N900,000 as an initial deposit and another N3 million purportedly for the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Education. Police said Nwogba, who allegedly operated under the name Dr Stephen Igwe, was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. They further alleged that he admitted forwarding account details to a cousin, identified as Nnabuiife Nwekpa, who is said to be at large. The police told the court that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
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