Updating your news feed...
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
A 32-year-old man, Nwogba Arinze, has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, and using the identity to defraud members of the public.
According to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Arinze allegedly posed as the JAMB Registrar on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn, using the professor’s name, photograph and official position to convince victims that he could facilitate government and JAMB contracts.
NigeriaNews Subscription
The suspect was arrested on August 27 in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, following a petition by the JAMB Registrar and an investigation by the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit (PIOIU).
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Iniedu said the investigation took police operatives to the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
According to him, the suspect and his accomplices allegedly demanded between N900,000 and N3 million from victims as processing fees and purported bribes to influence officials of the Ministry of Education.
The police said investigations into the alleged impersonation and fraud were ongoing.
Iniedu said: “The suspect and his accomplices allegedly created and operated a telephone number with the name, image and office of the JAMB Registrar on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn without authorisation”.
The operation, he said, followed the approval of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu for the investigation of the petition.
According to him, investigators have established a prima facie case against Arinze for alleged criminal conspiracy, online impersonation, identity theft and online fraud.
The offences, he said, contravene Sections 14(2), 22(B), 22(3) and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
But investigators, he said made a curious discovery while probing the alleged fraud.
Police recovered an Access Bank ATM card belonging to the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, whose account number was allegedly used to receive proceeds from the scam.
The police spokesman said an Airtel SIM card registered in the deceased’s name was also recovered, alongside his burial poster.
He said a second principal suspect, identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa of Onitsha, Anambra State, was still at large.
Iniedu said the Force had commenced moves to declare Nwekpa wanted.
He warned Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters who use the identities of public officials to solicit money.
NigeriaNews Subscription
The police spokesperson stressed that the JAMB Registrar does not award contracts or solicit payments through WhatsApp or social media platforms.
“All official JAMB communications are conducted only through verified channels,” he said.
Iniedu urged members of the public who receive suspicious messages or requests for payment purportedly from the JAMB Registrar or other government officials to verify such claims before parting with their money.
The police also advised victims or members of the public with useful information about the fleeing suspect to report to the nearest police station or any verified police channel. (The Nation)
