Category: PM News

The Political Intelligence Group (PIG) of Politico.ng has released its October electoral map, projecting a shift in the distribution of states among the major political blocs ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

At a press conference in Maryland, Lagos on Friday, the convener of PIG, Lai Omotola, stressed that the monthly electoral map should not be interpreted as a declaration of the eventual election result, but as a snapshot of the political landscape based on developments at the time of the assessment.

According to Omotola, the purpose of the exercise is to enable political parties and candidates to identify areas of strength and weakness and adjust their strategies accordingly.

‘Our monthly electoral map is for parties to see where they are weak and strong and this does not suggest the final result but rather if elections were to be held this month this projection is likely to be the outcome.’

The October assessment comes after a month marked by several developments that PIG said could influence the political calculations ahead of the 2027 election.

Omotola identified the reported denial of entry into Benue State involving Peter Obi, one of President Bola Tinubu’s leading political opponents, as one of the notable developments during September.

He also cited the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s working vacation, which generated debate over the president’s absence from the country, as another development considered in the group’s assessment.

The group also pointed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s continued focus on the fuel subsidy issue and what it described as a ‘sudden turnaround’ as part of the political developments observed during the month.

Beyond individual political figures, PIG also assessed the level of mobilisation by the major political parties.

Omotola said the APC appeared to be conducting more campaign-related mobilisation across the country, followed by the NDC, while the ADC had established a Presidential Campaign Council but had yet to embark on major nationwide campaigns.

He also drew attention to an emerging disagreement between some APC governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying the political dispute could become significant in the evolving electoral calculations.

Under the October projection, PIG said the APC would record a net reduction in its projected state tally, falling from 20 states in September to 19 states in October.

The movement is attributed to the ruling party losing Rivers State while gaining Adamawa State.

Omotola said: ‘This electoral map for October shows APC loose two states of Rivers but gained Adamawa state reducing the number of state win by APC from 20 in September to 19 in October.’

The September PIG map had projected the APC at 20 states, with the ADC on nine and the NDC on eight. Contemporary reports on that earlier projection also described it as a forecast based on prevailing political circumstances rather than a prediction of the final election result.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), according to the October assessment, also experiences a reduction in its projected reach.

PIG said the party, which was projected to win nine states in September, would secure eight states in October, with Adamawa moving into the APC column.

Omotola said: ‘ADC remaining dominant in September 9 states but unfortunately lost Adamawa to APC. In October electoral map projects ADC will win 8 states.’

The change means Adamawa becomes one of the states responsible for the movement in the projected electoral map between the two months.

While the APC and ADC figures declined, the NDC projection increased.

PIG’s October assessment places the NDC at 10 states, compared with eight states in the September map.

Omotola said: ‘In October, NDC have increased the number of states from 8 in September to 10 states in October.’

The movement represents a two-state increase in the group’s monthly projection. PIG cautions against treating map as election result

Summarising the October assessment, Omotola said: ‘The summation of the projection is APC is leading with 19 states, NDC with 10 states and ADC with 8 states.’

He immediately added an important qualification to the figures, stressing that the projection assumes a free and fair electoral process.

‘Let us caution that this result is presumed under a free and fair elections.’

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has impounded 20 cows during separate enforcement operations in Ibadan over alleged violations of the state’s open grazing regulations.

The operations, carried out in collaboration with security agencies, took place at Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road and Idi-Iroko in the Moniya area of Ibadan.

OYRLEA Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), disclosed the development in a post on X on Thursday.

She said the first operation was conducted at about dawn on Wednesday, September 30, following a petition from Adewolu Farms over alleged repeated encroachment by cattle and destruction of crops on its farmland.

The farm, according to the authority, grows cassava, maize, yam and cashew.

Aderemi said enforcement officers and security personnel moved into the area after receiving the complaint, but the herders allegedly attempted to take the cattle away after noticing their presence.

Nine cows were nevertheless seized during the operation.

Another enforcement exercise was conducted early on Thursday, October 1, at Idi-Iroko, Moniya, where 11 more cows were impounded.

The authority said the second operation involved allegations of residential cattle rearing and open grazing.

The two operations brought the number of cattle seized by OYRLEA to 20.

The authority said the enforcement actions were undertaken as part of efforts to implement the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, while protecting farmers, residents and legitimate economic activities.

OYRLEA urged residents and farmers to report suspected breaches of the law through the appropriate channels.

‘Residents and farmers are urged to report violations through appropriate channels,’ the authority said, assuring members of the public that ‘all legitimate complaints will be attended to in accordance with the law.’

Aderemi said the authority would continue enforcing the relevant legislation in the interest of residents and farmers.

OYRLEA also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with enforcement agencies by providing information about activities suspected to contravene the state’s open grazing regulations.

Twenty people have been killed in a devastating multiple-vehicle crash along the Hawan Kibo Road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The fatal accident occurred on Friday evening when a truck reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into several vehicles travelling towards Jos, triggering a chain collision involving a Hummer bus and a motorcycle.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Hummer bus was carrying passengers when the collision occurred. The impact caused the bus to burst into flames, trapping 18 passengers inside.

Two other people travelling on a motorcycle involved in the crash also died at the scene, bringing the confirmed death toll to 20.

The Plateau State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with Channels TV, attributing the crash to the truck’s brake failure.

Ogungbemi said the truck lost control before ramming into vehicles ahead of it on the road leading to Jos.

‘The crash happened in the evening of Friday. It was as a result of brake failure from the truck, which rammed into other vehicles heading towards Jos,’ he said.

Emergency responders were subsequently deployed to the scene to manage the aftermath, control traffic and remove the wreckage from the highway.

The FRSC commander said efforts were also underway to evacuate the victims and transfer the remains of those who died to appropriate hospitals.

Ogungbemi urged motorists to conduct thorough mechanical checks before embarking on journeys, stressing that regular vehicle maintenance remains essential to preventing crashes linked to mechanical failure.

He also cautioned drivers against speeding and urged them to exercise greater care when travelling on busy highways.

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Free Zone Command generated N557.02 billion in revenue between January and August 2026, highlighting the increasing contribution of the Free Zone corridor to the nation’s economy.

The figure was disclosed during a handover ceremony at the Zone on Wednesday, where the outgoing Area Controller of Customs, Hauwa Abubakar Anifowoshe, reflected on her tenure and the measures adopted to strengthen the Command.

Anifowoshe, who retired after 35 years of service, said the Command’s performance was the result of the combined efforts of its officers and other stakeholders rather than the efforts of any individual.

‘Whatever successes we recorded during my time as Area Controller were not achieved by me alone. They were the product of teamwork, discipline, professionalism, and the collective commitment of every officer and member of staff,’ she said.

She said her administration prioritised the welfare of personnel while also working to improve relations with host communities and deepen cooperation with sister government agencies.

According to her, the Command also maintained engagement with Free Zone operators, Lekki Deep Sea Port, bonded terminals and other strategic stakeholders as part of efforts to ensure that all parties remained involved in the development of the corridor.

Anifowoshe formally handed over the leadership of the Command to the Acting Customs Area Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Olufemi Kukoyi.

Kukoyi pledged to consolidate the gains recorded under the outgoing administration while placing greater emphasis on operational efficiency, technology, enforcement and trade facilitation.

In her farewell remarks, Anifowoshe urged officers and stakeholders to give her successor the same level of cooperation and support extended to her during her tenure.

She noted that leadership positions were temporary, while relationships built in the course of service could endure.

‘Positions are temporary, but relationships endure,’ she said, urging officers and stakeholders to continue to relate with one another with ‘respect, dignity and goodwill’.

The retiring controller also used the occasion to seek forgiveness from anyone she might have offended, knowingly or unknowingly, during her 35 years in the service.

She said she had also forgiven those who might have wronged her during her career.

Assuming responsibility for the Command, Kukoyi said his immediate task would be to build on the existing achievements and further strengthen Customs operations within the Free Zone.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of four men over their failure to appear in court for trial for allegedly defrauding Opay Digital Services Ltd of over N150 million.

Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the order after John Ijagbemi, counsel for the prosecution, made an oral application in line with Section 394 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Justice Ibrahim directed the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police to produce the defendants in court on the next adjourned date.

The judge also ordered the chief registrar of the court to write to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other necessary legal bodies in repect of the conduct of the defendants’ counsel, U.M. Umar.

The I-G, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/398/2026, had sued Isah Ladan, Nasiru Umar, Umar Mohammed and Abubakar Ibrahim as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

The police boss, in the charge dated and filed on July 8 by Ijabemi of Directorate of Legal Services, preferred a four counts against the defendants.

In count three, Ladan, Umar, Mohammed, Ibrahim and others now at large were alleged to have sometimes between November and December 2025 in Bida, Niger State, committed the offence.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants allegedly committed offences bordering on identify theft and impersonation, by defrauding Opay Digital Services Limited in the sum of N150,538,000.

They were accused of making false representations as agents of Opay Limited to innocent persons, using their National Identify Cards and sim cards to steal their identities.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 14 (1) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, and Prevention) Act, 2015 (as amended) in 2024.

In count two, the defendants and others now at large were alleged to have committed an offence bordering on computer related fraud, in that they unlawfully imputed innocent persons’ data into the Opay Limited system for the purpose of conferring economic benefits on themselves.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 24 (2)(a)(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Act, 2015).

When the case was called on Friday, neither the defendants nor their lawyer were in court.

Ijabemi recalled that on Wednesday when the case was initially slated to come up, the defendants and their lawyer, Umar, stalled the arraignment as a result of their coming to court behind scheduled time.

He said the defence had applied that the matter be stood down, citing problems with the defendant’s vehicle on their way from Niger State.

The prosecuting counsel said the matter was later adjourned until today but neither the lawyer nor the defendants were in court and no reason was given.

The judge also recalled that he had told the lawyer when they arrived in court after sitting on the last adjourned date that they should look for a hotel to put up against today’s hearing since they do not reside in Abuja.

Justice Ibrahim said Umar responded that Niger State was just about an hour drive to Abuja.

He, however, wondered why they were not in court and no reason was adduced to their absence.

After Ijagbemi moved the oral application, the judge granted the prayer and invoke the section of the law to ordered the defendants’ arrest.

Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has recorded another research milestone with the award of an International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) research grant to Mrs Oyeronke Animashaun of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

The grant is aimed at supporting researchers in maintaining continuity in their scientific careers while on parental leave.

According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, Mrs. Animashaun’s research focuses on the modulation of neurodegeneration using a medicinal plant, with potential implications for the understanding and management of neurological disorders.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, congratulated Mrs. Animashaun on the achievement, describing the grant as an indication of the growing visibility and impact of research conducted by scholars of the institution.

Professor Adebooye said the university would continue to provide an enabling environment for researchers to pursue innovative studies and attract competitive grants and fellowships from reputable international organisations.

He said, ‘I congratulate Mrs Oyeronke Animashaun on this significant achievement. Her success is a reflection of the quality of research being undertaken by our scholars and the growing recognition of our researchers on the international stage.’

The Vice-Chancellor added that the university is committed to strengthening its research capacity and supporting members of its academic community to develop solutions to challenges confronting society.

He said, ‘We are particularly encouraged by the focus of this research on neurodegeneration and the exploration of medicinal plants. We will continue to support research that has the potential to advance knowledge, improve lives and enhance the visibility of Osun State University globally.’

Professor Adebooye further congratulated Mrs. Animashaun on securing the grant and urged other researchers at the university to remain committed to producing research capable of attracting national and international recognition.

He said the latest achievement is part of the university’s growing list of research successes, adding that ‘we are just starting’ in the institution’s drive to deepen its research profile and establish stronger global partnerships.

The award further highlights the university’s growing emphasis on research excellence and innovation, as well as its efforts to create an academic environment that enables researchers to sustain productive careers while contributing to global scientific knowledge.

The Oyo State Government has assured that it is actively engaging on all fronts to secure release of some corps members of the state origin who were recently abducted by yet- to- be identified gunmen in Imo State.

‘We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,’ Oyo state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said in a statement issued in Ibadan on Friday.

According to the statement, Oyo government is in close communication with relevant security agencies, the Imo Government, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) leadership to ensure a coordinated and urgent response to the abduction of the corps members.

The statement also indicated that Gov. Seyi Makinde has directed that all necessary resources be deployed to this effect.

Makinde, the statement said, emphasised that the safety and well-being of every indigene of the state, within and outside its borders, remains a top priority.

The government urged families of the abducted corps members to remain calm, assuring them that the state is actively engaged on all fronts to secure their release.

It also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Nevertheless, the state government condemned the abduction of the corps members, describing the incident as distressing and reprehensible.

While condemning the abduction in strong terms, trhe government said its heart is with the affected young Nigerians and their families.

The Imo Police Command had on Thursday evening confirmed the abduction of the corps members and other passengers in two buses going from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom and Bende in Abia State.

The spokesperson for Imo Command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to newsmen in Owerri.

Okoye said that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects.

‘Two buses, conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, and Bende in Abia, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men.

‘Following a swift response by the Police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered and 10 victims were rescued at the scene,’ he stated.

He further stated that the exact number of people abducted was being verified and would be made public, once confirmed.

‘Operatives are conducting coordinated search and rescue operation, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.

‘The Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, alongside other Service Commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction,’ he added.

He assured the public that the command would sustain the operation until all the victims had been safely rescued and the suspects brought to justice.

Okoye also hinted that the command was collaborating with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who would be informed as developments unfolded.

‘The command appeals for calm and urges the public to remain vigilant.

‘Anyone with credible information should report to the nearest police station or contact the command’s emergency lines.

‘All information will be treated in utmost confidentiality,’ he further stated.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN) has restored the 330kV Kainji-Birnin Kebbi Single Circuit Transmission Line after more than three weeks of outage caused by the collapse of a transmission tower in Yauri, Kebbi State.

TCN announced that electricity transmission through the line resumed at 5:24pm on Thursday, October 1, following the completion of emergency repair works at the affected site.

The company disclosed this in a statement signed by its management and made available to journalists on Friday.

According to TCN, ‘the 330kV Kainji-Birnin Kebbi Single Circuit Transmission Line, which was taken out of service following the collapse of Tower 367 on 7th September, 2026, has been restored to service.’

The transmission company said the repair operation centred on the deployment of an Emergency Restoration System tower to replace the collapsed structure.

‘The restoration works involved dismantling and decommissioning the collapsed tower, aligning and preparing the conductors and skywire, erecting the ERS tower, and carrying out other associated works required to restore the line safely,’ TCN said.

The company added that its engineers ‘worked round the clock’ to ensure that the damaged infrastructure was restored within the shortest possible time while observing safety requirements.

The Kainji-Birnin Kebbi line forms part of the national transmission network supplying electricity to Kebbi and other areas in the North-West. Its shutdown after the September 7 tower collapse disrupted transmission along the affected corridor.

With the line now back in operation, transmission capacity across the corridor has been restored. However, electricity availability to end-users will also depend on power generation levels, the condition of distribution infrastructure and other factors across the electricity supply chain.

TCN expressed appreciation to electricity consumers in the affected areas for their patience during the period of the outage.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to ‘maintaining a stable and reliable transmission network.’

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has unveiled plans for a 100-point ‘HAMZAT Compact’ designed to give Lagos residents specific benchmarks for monitoring his administration if he wins the 2027 governorship election.

Hamzat disclosed the proposal on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at a gubernatorial town hall organised by Platform Nigeria under the theme, ‘Millennium and Gen Z Meet Their Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidates.’

According to him, the proposed compact would specify what his administration intends to deliver, where projects or interventions would take place, how much they would cost and the official responsible for implementation.

He said the initiative, contained in his manifesto, The Promise: Building a State That Lasts, is intended to make government commitments measurable and open to public scrutiny.

‘Hamzat Compact is actually a statement that allows you to know what will be done, where it will be done, what it will cost, and who is responsible,’ he said.

Hamzat argued that effective governance requires institutions and processes that can be measured and sustained beyond individual political administrations. He said residents should be able to monitor government promises and demand explanations when stated commitments are not delivered.

Child welfare agency planned

A major component of his programme is a proposed Child Welfare Administration Agency, which he said would be established within his first 100 days in office if elected.

The proposed agency would focus on children below 18 and seek to ensure they are either in school or receiving vocational training. Hamzat said child welfare requires dedicated institutional attention, particularly because of concerns around vulnerable children and childhood malnutrition.

He also identified healthcare and education among the areas covered by his proposed commitments.

Focus on Lagos traffic and commuting

Transportation was another major issue addressed by the APC candidate.

Hamzat said his administration would seek to reduce the amount of time Lagos residents spend travelling between their homes, workplaces and places of business.

He said commuting time should be treated as a measurable indicator of the effectiveness of government interventions, with residents able to assess whether journeys across the state are becoming shorter and more efficient.

Economic council to tackle multiple levies

On the business environment, Hamzat proposed establishing a State Economic Council to coordinate government charges and address multiple and unauthorised levies imposed on businesses.

He said government should create conditions that allow businesses to start, survive and expand rather than burden them with unpredictable charges.

The proposal would also seek to make the state’s charging structure clearer, allowing businesses to know what they are required to pay while eliminating unauthorised fees.

Hamzat further identified bookkeeping and staff-management skills as areas where small and medium-sized enterprises could receive greater support.

Housing and economic planning

At the same town-hall engagement, Hamzat also discussed housing, proposing longer payment periods for government housing schemes. BusinessDay reported that he spoke of arrangements involving an initial payment of about 10 per cent, with the balance potentially spread over 15 or 20 years. He also said government should work to ensure that rent does not undermine residents’ dignity.

The candidate has also recently advocated a more data-driven approach to employment and wealth creation, arguing that government should use reliable information about labour-market demand, skills and business opportunities to better target interventions.

Inclusion of residents from outside Lagos

Hamzat also addressed Lagos’ status as a destination for Nigerians and foreign nationals, promising an administration that would not discriminate against residents because of their place of origin.

He said people who live peacefully, work lawfully and do not pose a threat should be able to enjoy their rights regardless of whether they originate from another part of Nigeria or another country.

He cited the presence and contributions of communities from countries including Ghana, India and Lebanon as examples of Lagos’ longstanding diversity.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered a remand of Arinze Nwogba in Kuje Correctional Centre for allegedly impersonating Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for fraudulent activities.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a short ruling, held that Nwogba would be in custody pending the ruling on his bail application which was moved by his lawyer, Christian Ejike.

Justice Ibrahim then fixed Oct. 7. at noon for a ruling on the application and adjourned the matter until Oct. 19 for commencement of his trial.

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, sued Nwogba as sole defendant.

The I-G, in the charge dated Sept. 18 and filed Sept. 21 by Samuel Mallum, preferred six counts against the defendant.

In one of the counts, Nwogba, who resides at No. 16, Emeka Egbe by Roban Stores, Abakaliki in Ebonyi, and others now at large, were alleged to have sometime in the year 2026, fraudulently impersonated the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Aina.

The defendant was alleged to have registered his picture on whatsapp profile and true caller on telephone number: 08139433155 with the intent to gain financial advantage to himself.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3)(a)(b) and (4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 Amended 2024.

When the case was called, the police lawyer, Nonso Eleodimuo, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for Nwogba’s arraignment.

The defence lawyer did not oppose the application.

After the charge was read to him, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all the six counts and the prosecuting counsel sought a trial date.

Responding, Ejike did not raise objection to Eleodimuo’s application for a date for trial but he told the court that he had a motion for bail filed on Sept. 23.

The lawyer said the prosecution had been served and responded to their application for bail.

Eleodimuo, who acknowledged the receipt of the bail application, said a counter affidavit, dated Oct. 2, had also been filed and served on the defence.

After moving the application, Ejike prayed the court to admit Nwogba to a bail on liberal terms.

The Prosecution Counsel in his response, urged the court to dismiss Nwogba’s application for a bail.

In a counter affidavit deposed to by Gregory Woje, a clerk at the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters in Abuja, stated that majority of the paragraphs in Nwogba’s affidavit in support of his bail application were false.

Woje averred that the defendant’s affidavit were speculative and were facts within the knowledge of the defendant, which are extraneous to the case.

The officer told the court that if granted bail, there was likelihood of Nwogba evading justice.

He added that the defendant would not appear in court to stand trial for the case against him.

‘That assuming the court is minded to grant bail, it is for the court to do so considering the punishment upon conviction and upon terms that will ensure the defendant/applicant attend his trial,’ he said.

Woje stated that bail condition is at the discretion of the court and not for the defendant to decide.

The officer said the I-G was ready ‘to prosecute the case expeditiously as all the exhibits and witnesses are ready for the trial.’

‘That if the defendant/applicant is granted bail and abscond from trial, it will be a clog on the whole proceedings before this court.

‘That the complainant/redpondent will be prejudiced if the application of the applicant is granted,’ he said.

Justice Ibrahim after listening to the parties’ arguments adjourned until Oct. 7 for ruling on the bail and fixed Oct. 19 for trial.

The prosecution, in the brief fact of the case, said a petition was written and submitted to the I-G by the board registrar concerning the activities of some suspected criminal gangs who fraudulently registered and are using the telephone number 08139433155 and using the name and pictures of Prof. Aina without his knowledge and authority.

The police alleged that these individuals were using the identity of the JAMB registrar to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

It said they equally went on LinkedIn and published the said number where they directed unsuspecting innocent citizens to contact them only through WhatsApp using the number.

‘The investigating team decided to engage the fraudsters directly using the WhatsApp number he advertised on LinkedIn.

‘The fraudsters who already used the image of JAMB registrar as profile pictures both on WhatsApp and truecaller in order to deceive innocent Nigerians informed his victims that he wants to offer them a contract and he has obtained necessary approvals from the Minister of Education.’

According to the document, in his text message on WhatsApp, he stated, ‘Federal Ministry of Education Abuja has approved the supply of 200 units of HP laptops to us as a part of our digitization programs.’

It alleged that the acclaimed JAMB registrar also sent the contact of his personal assistant as (07017626031) who he described as Dr Stephen Igwe and who would be representing him to make all the arrangement for the award of the contract.

‘He equally directed that his PA will send an account number where he directed the sum of N900,000 to be paid for handshake.

‘He equally ordered the payment of another three (3) million naira into the account for the permanent secretary and Minister of Education.

‘He equally sent an access bank account number 1572799985 with account name: EDEH CHIMEZIE BENEDICT.

‘He requested for an initial deposit of nine hundred thousand naira (N900,000) to be used to bribe the members of staff at the minister’s office,’ the prosecution alleged, among others.

It said Nwogba whose operational name was Dr. Stephen Igwe was subsequently arrested in Abakallki in Ebonyi.

‘He confessed that the account details belong to his late nephew who died in April 2026 and was buried on July 31st, 2026.

‘He admitted that he actually forwarded the details of the account to his cousin, one NNABUIFE NWEKPA ‘M’ of Onitsha, Anambra State to use for the fraudulent activity.

‘The said NNABUIFE NWEKPA (the acclaimed fake JAMB Registrar) is now on the run and currently at large.

‘Serious efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect,’ the police said.