Impersonation and fraud cases in Nigeria

Recent legal proceedings in Nigeria have addressed separate instances of impersonation and fraud.

In Abuja, a Federal High Court ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Nwogba faces allegations of impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Segun Aina, to defraud the public via platforms like WhatsApp and Truecaller. The prosecution claims the suspect solicited funds for various purposes, including a purported contract for laptops for a Federal Ministry of Education programme. A ruling on bail is expected on October 7, with the trial scheduled to begin on October 19.

In Lagos, a State High Court convicted John Nwawuto Anoruo for impersonating a legal practitioner and possessing a forged Nigerian Bar Association seal. Anoruo, who operated a consultancy in Ikorodu, admitted to using the counterfeit seal on petitions submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Although Anoruo holds a law degree, he admitted he was never called to the Nigerian Bar. He was sentenced to a fine of N270,000 and ordered to forfeit the forged items to the Federal Government.