The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Mr Arinze Nwogba bail in the sum of N50 million, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, held that the alleged offence was bailable as it was not a capital offence punishable by 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 noted that the granting of bail was within the discretionary powers of the court before admitting Nwogba to bail.
He ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 14 in the federal civil service.
Justice Ibrahim further directed that both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with at least one living in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.
The court also ordered each surety to depose to an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.
The defendant and the sureties were also directed to submit photocopies of their national identification slips.
Justice Ibrahim instructed the registrar of the court to verify the bail documents, issue and sign a report, and ensure that the prosecution also complies with the relevant requirements.
Nwogba was ordered to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.
The court adjourned the case until October 19 for the commencement of trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General of Police is prosecuting Nwogba for allegedly impersonating Prof. Segun Aina, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The I-G filed a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, against Nwogba as the sole defendant.
The defendant was arraigned by the police on Friday and subsequently 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, Ebonyi State, was accused of fraudulently impersonating the JAMB registrar, Prof. Aina, alongside other suspects who are currently at large.
The prosecution alleged that Nwogba used his photograph on a WhatsApp profile and Truecaller account linked to telephone number 08139433155, with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.
The alleged offence is said to contravene and be punishable under Section 22(3)(a)(b) and (4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
According to the prosecution’s brief facts of the case, the JAMB registrar submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police over the activities of suspected criminal gangs who allegedly registered and used Prof. Aina’s telephone number and photographs without his knowledge or authorisation.
The police alleged that the suspects used the JAMB registrar’s identity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
It further alleged that the suspects published the telephone number on LinkedIn and instructed members of the public to contact them through WhatsApp.
“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, the suspect stated in a WhatsApp message: “Federal Ministry of Education Abuja has approved the supply of 200 units of HP laptops to us as a part of our digitization programs.”
The prosecution alleged that the purported JAMB registrar also provided the contact of an individual identified as Dr Stephen Igwe, whom he described as his personal assistant and representative responsible for arrangements concerning 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.
The police said Nwogba, who allegedly operated under the name Dr Stephen Igwe, was later arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
“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)