The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed the rearrest of Emmanuel Akataka, a 26-year-old suspect accused of defrauding 94 candidates during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration process.
Speaking at the board’s headquarters in Abuja, JAMB registrar Ishaq Oloyede revealed that the suspect is part of a syndicate linked to “criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, online fraud, and other related offences targeted at unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) candidates.”
According to the registrar, Akataka had earlier been arrested for operating under a false identity, “Official Frederick”, through which he managed a WhatsApp platform offering fake services such as score enhancement.
“Through this scheme, he deceived no fewer than 94 candidates into soliciting score enhancement by paying for this illegal and non-existent service,” he said.
JAMB stated that the affected candidates were given a fair hearing and allowed to appear before a special committee to prove their innocence. Following this, the board secured approval from the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to cancel their registrations, while the suspect was granted bail in accordance with due process.
However, after regaining freedom, Akataka reportedly resumed contact with the same candidates, this time using the alias “Sir Frederick” and demanding N70,000 each, falsely claiming he could stop the cancellation of their registrations because he was “in contact” with the board.
Investigations further revealed that he initially collected payments through his father’s bank account before opening another account under the name Zainab Rafiu, whom he falsely presented as a JAMB director to lend credibility to the scam.
JAMB expressed concern over the willingness of some candidates to fall victim to repeated fraudulent schemes, warning that such behaviour reflects a troubling disregard for integrity.
“This troubling pattern raises serious concerns about the growing willingness among some candidates to pursue unlawful advantage, rather than exercise the judgement and integrity expected of them,” Oloyede said.
The board reiterated that no individual or group can influence UTME results or provide special assistance, stressing that all such claims are fraudulent and punishable by law.
Oloyede warned that engaging in such schemes exposes candidates to financial loss and legal consequences, adding that JAMB will continue to work with security agencies to track and prosecute offenders.
The registrar also noted that more than six individuals have already been convicted for examination-related offences, including one Ibrahim Abdulaziz, who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for impersonation.
Admitting to the crime, Akataka pleaded for leniency, attributing his actions to financial hardship and family pressure.
“I was finding it difficult to survive… that was the actual reason I opened a group,” he said.
“The reason why I went back to it was because my mom was actually suffering from a very, very severe disease… I was finding a means to assist her with her hospital fees.”
He disclosed that he made about N1.5 million from the scheme, admitting that all services offered were fake.
“All were fake. I was just trying any means possible to be able to meet up,” he confessed.
JAMB emphasised that the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system remains non-negotiable and urged candidates and parents to rely solely on legitimate processes.