JAMB re-arrests fraud suspect, warns candidates against score upgrade syndicates

2026-03-26 - 16:23

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has raised fresh alarm over the resurgence of examination fraud, announcing the re-arrest of notorious syndicate member Emmanuel Praise Akataka for allegedly duping candidates with fake promises of score enhancement and registration protection. Addressing a press conference at its Bwari headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, following the development, Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that Akataka, previously arrested and granted bail for offences including impersonation, identity theft, and online fraud, returned to the same illicit trade, targeting vulnerable UTME candidates with even more sophisticated tactics. Operating under the aliases “Official Frederick” and later “Sir Frederick”, Akataka reportedly lured no fewer than 94 candidates into paying for non-existent services, including inflated scores and protection from registration cancellation. Oloyede, who was represented by JAMB’s Director of Special Duties, Zainab Hamza, disclosed that after his initial arrest, affected candidates were given a fair hearing, leading to the cancellation of their registrations with ministerial approval. Shockingly, investigations showed that upon release, the suspect reconnected with the same victims, demanding N70,000 each under the false claim that he could influence JAMB decisions and reverse their sanctions. To evade detection, Akataka allegedly used multiple bank accounts, including one linked to his father and another fraudulently opened under the name “Zainab Rafiu”, whom he falsely presented as a JAMB director to gain credibility. JAMB described the development as “deeply troubling”, noting that some candidates continue to fall prey to fraudulent schemes in pursuit of illegal advantages, despite repeated warnings. “The integrity of our examination system is non-negotiable,” the board declared, stressing that no individual or group can manipulate UTME scores or offer special assistance under any circumstance. The examination body warned that candidates who engage with such syndicates risk not only financial loss but also severe legal consequences, emphasising that such actions constitute criminal offences. Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance, JAMB disclosed that it has secured multiple convictions in recent times, including a three-year jail sentence handed to one Ibrahim Abdulaziz for impersonation during the 2025 UTME. The Board assured that, in collaboration with security agencies, it will intensify efforts to track, arrest, and prosecute all perpetrators of examination fraud, urging candidates and parents to strictly adhere to legitimate processes. As the crackdown tightens, JAMB’s latest revelation underscores a growing challenge in Nigeria’s education sector, where desperation for success continues to fuel a dangerous cycle of fraud, exploitation, and legal peril.