The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday Thursday publicly presented Emmanuel Praise Akataka, who has been accused of involvement in registration fraud during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This marks the second arrest for Akataka in connection with this criminal activity.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, expressed his concerns regarding the issue, noting that Akataka had previously been apprehended for participating in a network associated with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, online fraud, and other offenses targeting UTME candidates.
Further explaining Akataka’s activities, Oloyede revealed that he had created a fictitious identity under the name “Official Frederick.” Using this alias, he set up a WhatsApp platform to promote deceptive services, including score inflation.
Through this scheme, he managed to deceive at least 94 candidates into soliciting score enhancements by paying for these illegal and non-existent services.
Oloyede assured that the affected candidates were given a fair opportunity to present their case before a special committee to establish their innocence. He mentioned that the Minister of Education had approved the cancellation of the fraudulent registrations.Following due legal processes, Akataka was granted bail.
The Registrar highlighted that, as of the latest count, JAMB has secured convictions for over six offenders since 2025, including Ibrahim Abdulaziz, who received a three-year prison sentence without the option of a fine for impersonation, handed down by Justice Hussaini Dada Garba of the Federal High Court in Katsina. Abdulaziz had been contracted by Tochukwu Emmanuel Bolunwu to take the 2025 UTME on his behalf.
Prof. Oloyede reaffirmed that maintaining the integrity of the nation’s examination system is non-negotiable, and JAMB will continue its efforts to safeguard this crucial aspect of educational assessment.
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