By Veronica Dariya
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has re-arrested an alleged examination fraud suspect, Emmanuel Akataka, reiterating that no individual or group can influence Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.
The Registrar of the board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, gave the warning on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the re-arrest of the suspect in Bwari, Abuja.
Oloyede, represented by Mrs Zainab Hamza, Director, Special Duties, warned candidates and the public against falling victim to promises of score enhancement or examination support, describing such claims as fraudulent.
He said individuals who engaged in such schemes risked financial loss and possible legal consequences.
“The board reiterates, without qualification, that no individual or group can influence UTME results, facilitate special assistance, or manipulate candidate registration under any circumstance.
“The public is reminded that any claim of score enhancement or examination assistance is fraudulent, and engagement with such schemes constitutes a violation of the law.
“Candidates who patronise these services expose themselves to financial loss and legal consequences,’’ he said.
Oloyede described the case involving Akataka, earlier arrested in connection with registration fraud, as disturbing.
According to him, the suspect was previously apprehended for his involvement in criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, online fraud and other related offences targeting UTME candidates.
“In the course of his 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 paying for illegal and non-existent score enhancement services,’’ he said.
The registrar said the affected candidates were given fair hearing by the board and allowed to appear before a special committee to establish their innocence.
He added that, following approval from the Federal Ministry of Education, the registrations of the affected candidates were cancelled, while the suspect was granted bail in line with due legal process.
“Following his release on bail, Akataka re-established contact with the same candidates he had previously defrauded.
“This time, he adopted another alias, ‘Sir Frederick’, and demanded payment of N70,000 from each candidate, falsely claiming he could prevent the cancellation of their registrations because he was in contact with the board,’’ he said.
Oloyede said investigations revealed that the suspect initially used his father’s bank account, bearing the name Vincent Okpowho Akataka, to receive payments.
“Upon suspecting exposure, he opened another account with SmartCash using the name Zainab Rafiu, falsely presented as a director of JAMB, to lend credibility to his fraudulent scheme.
“It is deeply concerning that the same candidates involved in the initial infraction again fell victim to another fraudulent scheme.
“This pattern raises serious concerns about the growing willingness among some candidates to seek unlawful advantage rather than exercise integrity,’’ he said.
He said the conduct was criminal and demonstrated the deceptive and exploitative nature of examination fraud syndicates.
“The case underscores the dangers of seeking unlawful advantage. What begins as an attempt to circumvent due process often ends in exploitation and criminal liability,’’ he added.
Oloyede said JAMB, in collaboration with security agencies, would continue to pursue and prosecute individuals involved in examination fraud.
He advised candidates and parents to rely solely on legitimate processes and reject any form of inducement or illegal assistance.
“The integrity of the nation’s examination system remains non-negotiable, and the board will not relent in safeguarding it,’’ he said.
Speaking with newsmen, Akataka, 26, an indigene of Delta, said he ventured into the illegal activity due to poverty and the need to cater for his mother’s medical bills.
He claimed that after his initial pardon, some of his previous victims continued to contact him seeking assistance, in spite of knowing the services were fake.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspect has been handed over to security agencies for prosecution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
