Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Arinze Nwogba, who is accused of impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, bail of ₦50 million with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the bail on Thursday, October 8, 2026, holding that the offences allegedly committed by Nwogba were bailable and did not attract the death penalty.
The judge said granting bail was within the discretionary powers of the court and noted that the defendant had indicated in his affidavit that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.
The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a federal civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14. Both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, with one required to live in either Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.
The sureties were also ordered to depose to affidavits of means and submit their tax clearance certificates for the previous two years. The court further directed the submission and verification of the national identification slips of the defendant and sureties.
Nwogba, however, will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
The Inspector-General of Police is prosecuting Nwogba on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, bordering on alleged impersonation and cyber-related offences.
The prosecution alleged that Nwogba and other persons still at large used Prof. Aina’s name and photographs on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn to deceive members of the public.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly presented themselves as the JAMB Registrar and used the identity to offer a purported contract for the supply of 200 HP laptops under a Federal Ministry of Education digitisation programme.
The prosecution further alleged that victims were asked to pay ₦900,000 as an initial “handshake” and another ₦3 million purportedly for the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Education.
Nwogba, who was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, pleaded not guilty to the six counts when he was arraigned on October 2.
The police have also identified another alleged suspect, Nnabuife Nwekpa of Onitsha, Anambra State, as being at large in connection with the case.
The allegations against Nwogba have not been established by the court, and he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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