JAMB warns candidates as UTME fraud suspect is re-arrested
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has alerted the public to the re-arrest and continued fraudulent activities of a suspected examination fraudster, Emmanuel Praise Akataka, who was previously arrested over UTME registration fraud.
The Board said the suspect was earlier apprehended for his involvement in a syndicate engaged in impersonation, identity theft, and online fraud targeting Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME ) candidates. He allegedly operated under a fake identity known as “Official Frederick,” through which he created a WhatsApp platform where he advertised false services such as score enhancement.
According to JAMB, no fewer than 94 candidates were deceived into paying for the illegal and non-existent score inflation service. The affected candidates were later given an opportunity to appear before a special committee to establish their innocence, after which approval was obtained for the cancellation of their registrations.
JAMB said that after being granted bail, the suspect re-established contact with the same candidates using another alias, “Sir Frederick,” and demanded ₦70,000 from each candidate, falsely claiming he could prevent the cancellation of their registrations because he had contacts within the Board.
Investigations further revealed that he initially used his father’s bank account to collect payments before opening another account with SmartCash under a false identity, which he presented as a Director of JAMB to make the scheme appear legitimate.
The Board expressed concern that some candidates continued to fall victim to such fraudulent schemes, warning that no individual or group can influence UTME results or provide special assistance under any circumstances.
JAMB warned that any claim of score enhancement is fraudulent and that candidates who patronise such services risk financial loss and legal consequences.
The Board added that it will continue to work with security agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in examination fraud.
It also disclosed that more than six examination fraud offenders have been convicted between 2025 and now, including one offender who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for impersonation.
JAMB reiterated that the integrity of the nation’s examination system remains non-negotiable.