Three individuals have been arrested by law enforcement for their involvement in a syndicate specializing in the falsification of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission letters.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the three suspects were arrested in connection with a case involving Conspiracy, Computer Related Forgery, and System Interference. These charges are contrary to sections 8, 13, and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, as amended.
The arrested individuals are Effa Leonard Mpama, Ibang Ernest Jerome, and Eshiet Odotukana Benson, all males aged 34, 38, and 38 respectively.
According to the statement, the three suspects, along with others who are currently at large, allegedly conspired and utilized services to illegally access the JAMB restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility.
According to the police, the suspects went on to modify and erase details from other candidates’ previous admission letters. They inserted fake information, resulting in counterfeit admission letters that were treated as genuine, enabling admissions into tertiary institutions and enrollment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. This compromised the entire JAMB admission process with significant consequences.
“Upon their arrest, the suspects confessed to their varying degrees of involvement in the conspiracy, corroborating the substantial evidence already gathered.
Effa Leonard Mpama and Ibang Ernest Jerome, along with others still at large, gather personal details of prospective candidates and forward them to Mr. Eshiet Odotukana Benson. Benson obtains CAPS links from individuals identified as Daniel and Chris, who are currently evading arrest. Daniel and Chris reportedly operate in the JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) Centers located in FAN and UNICAL respectively, both in Calabar, Cross River State.
Further investigation led to the discovery of four fake domains, a website, and the identification of two key individuals involved in a syndicate in Imo State responsible for creating the fake domains and associated websites.
“Likewise, the third suspect, Mr. Eshiet, who has access to the CAPS links unlike the aforementioned duo, visits any CBT center. There, he accesses the JAMB e-facility using the login details of a candidate with a previous admission. He then overlays the new details collected to create a counterfeit admission letter.
“While strongly cautioning against any form of criminal collaboration that supports such illegal activities and others engaged in similar deeds, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D. NPM, commends the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center led by CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry. He reiterates the Force’s commitment to utilizing emerging technological advancements to safeguard Nigerian citizens in both physical and digital realms,” the statement concluded.
It further stated that upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspects will face charges in court.
