Abuja court adjourns cybercrime trial of two men accused of impersonating a JAMB registrar via WhatsApp

What happened

Real Broadcasting Network reported on 20 October 2026 that the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Salim, adjourned to 26 November 2026 the trial of Nwogba Arinze, also known as 'M', and Sunday Nweke in case FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, brought by the Inspector-General of Police. The amended charges allege that Arinze impersonated a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registrar and other individuals, and that the defendants used electronic communications, WhatsApp accounts and telephone numbers to send fraudulent messages, misrepresent facts and obtain financial benefits, along with unauthorised access to computer systems. Both pleaded not guilty; Arinze remains on bail and Nweke was remanded. JAMB is not involved in the alleged scheme. The allegations are unproven and are for the court to determine.

What the case is about

The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, is being heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Ibrahim Salim. The amended charge sheet, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, alleges that Nwogba Arinze impersonated a JAMB registrar and other people, including a person identified as Edeh Chimezie Benedict. It also alleges that the defendants used electronic communications, WhatsApp accounts and telephone numbers to send fraudulent messages, misrepresent facts and obtain financial benefits, and that they accessed computer systems without authorisation and used network resources for fraudulent purposes. The charges are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

When the amended charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel asked for an adjournment and for the first defendant to stay on bail; the judge agreed and remanded the second defendant at a correctional centre. The trial resumes on 26 November 2026. The report does not say who received the messages or how much money is alleged to have been obtained.

The general warning is clear: messages on WhatsApp or by phone from someone claiming to be a JAMB official, especially offering help with admissions, results or registration in return for money, should be checked directly with JAMB through its official website and channels. A name and title in a WhatsApp profile prove nothing.

Source

Real Broadcasting Network, "Court Adjourns Cybercrime Trial Over Alleged JAMB Registrar Impersonation" (published 20 October 2026).