The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Mr Arinze Nwogba bail of N50 million with two sureties following allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, to allegedly obtain financial benefits.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, held that the alleged offence was bailable because it was not a capital offence punishable by death.

The judge said granting bail remained within the discretion of the court but noted that the defendant had indicated his willingness to remain available for trial.

“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,” Justice Ibrahim said.

Court sets conditions for bail

The court attached strict conditions to the bail approval.

Justice Ibrahim ordered that Nwogba must provide two sureties, each valued at N50 million.

One of the sureties must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in either Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape, areas within Abuja.

The sureties are also required to submit: affidavits of means, two years’ tax clearance certificates, photocopies of their national identification documents.

The court instructed the registrar to verify the bail documents before approval and directed that Nwogba remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fully completed.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 19 for commencement of trial.

Alleged impersonation of JAMB registrar

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is prosecuting Nwogba in a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

Police alleged that Nwogba falsely presented himself as Prof. Segun Aina, the Registrar of JAMB, through social media and messaging platforms.

According to the prosecution, the suspect allegedly used the registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller linked to a telephone number to create the impression that he was the JAMB official.

The police said the alleged activity violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).

Alleged fake contract scheme

Police told the court that investigations began after a petition was submitted to the IGP by JAMB over alleged misuse of the registrar’s identity.

The prosecution claimed that individuals involved in the alleged scheme used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to contact members of the public, promising them government-related contracts.

Investigators alleged that the suspect sent messages claiming that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved a supply contract involving 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution further alleged that victims were instructed to communicate with a person described as the registrar’s personal assistant and were asked to make payments, including: N900,000 allegedly described as a “handshake” payment, N3 million allegedly linked to supposed officials of the Ministry of Education.

Police alleged that an Access Bank account belonging to another individual was provided for the payments.

Investigation continues

The prosecution told the court that Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and allegedly admitted knowledge of the account details used in the scheme.

Police alleged that he claimed the account belonged to his late nephew and that he had forwarded the details to another individual identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa, who is currently at large.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects allegedly connected with the operation.