An alleged admission fraudster, Emmanuel Akataka, 26, has told an investigative team of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that he deployed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, Gemini, to defraud candidates seeking to participate in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

He said the AI tool made it possible for him to convince the candidates that he was genuine, and could help them fix their challenges which was mostly around upgrading their scores and other things that could improve their chances of securing a higher score in the UTME, and subsequently secure admissions.

He also told JAMB officials during interrogations that he was able to succeed in defrauding about 94 candidates so far, and there were the chances of the number increasing significantly based on the massive feedbacks being received from prospective candidates.

Meanwhile, the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, reminded journalists that the suspect has been previously arrested alongside his accomplices but was later released after a show of remorse and promise to turn a new leaf.

“He was previously apprehended for his role in a network engaged in criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, online fraud, and other related offences targeted at UTME candidates. Sadly, he has been re-arrested for the second time for the same crimes of registration and admission fraud,” he said.

Oloyede, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Zainab Hamza, said, “in the course of the suspect’s operations, he created a fictitious identity known as ‘official Frederick” through which he established a WhatsApp platform used to advertise false services such as score inflation. Through this scheme, he deceived no fewer than 94 candidates into soliciting for score enhancement by paying for this illegal and non-existent service.

“The affected candidates were given a fair hearing by the Board by giving the opportunity to appear before a special committee to establish their innocence. The Minister’s approval was sought and obtained for the cancellation of the registrations. Mr. Akataka was thereafter granted bail in line with due legal process.

“But Akataka re-established contact with the same candidates he had previously defrauded shortly after his release. This time, he adopted another name, ‘Sir Frederick’, and demanded the payment of N70,000 from each candidate falsely claiming that he could reverse the cancellation of their registrations as he was, allegedly, in contact with the Board.

“Investigations further revealed that he initially used his father’s bank account, bearing the name Vincent Okpowho Akataka, to collect payments. Upon suspecting that this could expose him, he proceeded to open another account with SmartCash using the name Zainab Rafiu, falsely presented as a Director of JAMB, in order to lend credibility to his fraudulent scheme.

“It is deeply concerning that the same candidates involved in the initial infraction, again, fell victim to yet another fraudulent scheme. This troubling pattern raises serious concerns about the growing willingness among some candidates to pursue unlawful advantage, rather than exercise the judgment and integrity expected of them.

“This conduct is not only criminal but further exposes the deceptive and exploitative nature of such syndicates. The Board reiterates, without qualification, that no individual or group can influence UTME results, facilitate special assistance, or manipulate candidate registration under any circumstance.”

JAMB Registrar reminded the public that any claim of score enhancement or examination assistance is fraudulent, and engagement with such schemes constitute a violation of the law, and that candidates who patronise such services expose themselves to both financial loss and legal consequences.

He vowed to handover the suspect to the police for further investigation, and prosecution. “JAMB, in collaboration with security agencies, will continue to pursue and prosecute all individuals involved in examination fraud. Hence, candidates and parents are strongly advised to rely solely on legitimate processes, and reject any form of inducement or illegal assistance,” he said.

He stated that at the last count, the Board has secured the conviction of more than six offenders between 2025 and the present, including Ibrahim Abdulaziz, who was recently sentenced to three years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for impersonation by Justice Hussaini Dada Garba of the Federal Higher Court in Katsina.

“Abdulaziz was hired by one Tochukwu Emmanuel Bolunwu to sit the 2025 UTME on his behalf. The integrity of the nation’s examination system remains non-negotiable, and the Board will not relent in safeguarding it,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, the accused, however, confirmed the crime, and told journalists that poverty and the push to care for his sick mother was responsible for the “fall back” to the crime after being arrested previously, and pardoned. (The Sun)

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