The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 32-year-old man, Nwogba Arinze, over alleged impersonation of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, and online fraud.
Arinze was arrested on August 27, 2026, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, following a petition submitted by the JAMB Registrar to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
The suspect is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, online impersonation, identity theft and online fraud.
According to the police, Arinze and his accomplices allegedly created and operated the telephone number 08139433155 using the name, photograph and official identity of the JAMB Registrar on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn without authorisation.
The suspects allegedly used the fake identity to contact unsuspecting members of the public and solicit money for purported government and JAMB contracts.
In one reported instance, victims were allegedly asked to pay between N900,000 and N3 million as processing fees and bribes purportedly meant to influence officials of the Ministry of Education.
The police said the arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation conducted by the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit (PIOIU), which was deployed to the JAMB headquarters after the IGP approved the petition.
Investigations, according to the Force, were carried out across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
The police said a prima facie case had been established against the suspect under Sections 14(2), 22(2), 22(3) and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
Among the items recovered from the suspect were an Access Bank ATM card allegedly belonging to the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, which the police said was used to receive proceeds of the alleged fraud; an Airtel SIM card registered in the deceased’s name; and a burial poster of the late Edeh.
The Force also identified Nnabuife Nwekpa, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, as the second principal suspect allegedly involved in the operation. He is currently at large, with the police saying processes have commenced to declare him wanted.
The Nigeria Police Force warned members of the public that the JAMB Registrar does not award contracts or solicit payments through WhatsApp or other social media platforms.
The Force urged members of the public to verify any purported offers of contracts or official requests for payment through JAMB’s verified communication channels and to report suspicious contacts to the nearest police station or through official police channels.
The police said Arinze would be arraigned in court after the completion of administrative procedures.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to using intelligence and technology to combat cybercrime, protect Nigerians from online fraud and safeguard the integrity of public institutions.
