The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, in an alleged contract fraud scheme.
Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the order on Friday after Nwogba pleaded not guilty to six charges filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police.
The court fixed October 7 to rule on Nwogba’s bail application and adjourned the case until October 19 for the commencement of trial.
The six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, was filed by the Inspector-General of Police on September 21 under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
The prosecution alleged that Nwogba, a resident of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, conspired with other suspects still at large to impersonate the JAMB registrar and defraud members of the public.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly used Aina’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller and advertised a telephone number on LinkedIn, claiming to offer government contracts.
Investigators alleged that the suspects told prospective victims that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops under a digitisation programme.
The prosecution further alleged that the impersonators introduced a supposed personal assistant, identified as “Dr Stephen Igwe”, and subsequently demanded an initial payment of N900,000 as a “handshake”, followed by another N3m allegedly meant for officials of the Ministry of Education.
Police alleged that an Access Bank account was provided for the payments and that Nwogba operated under the name “Dr Stephen Igwe” in connection with the alleged scheme.
According to the prosecution, the investigation began after the JAMB registrar petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged unauthorised use of his name, photographs and telephone number.
The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, while another suspect identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa remained at large.
Nwogba’s lawyer, Christian Ejike, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, while the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that he might evade trial if released.
The prosecution told the court that its witnesses and exhibits were available and that it was ready to proceed with the case.
Justice Ibrahim consequently ordered Nwogba’s remand pending the ruling on his bail application.
Nwogba has pleaded not guilty to all six counts, and the allegations against him remain unproven until determined by the court.
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