The legal team representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five suspects accused of illegally accessing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility between 2023 and 2024. The suspects allegedly conspired to delete candidates’ previous admission letters and input falsified admission letters into tertiary institutions, facilitating their mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/312/2024, names E. Mpama, Ibanga Jerome, Eshiet Benson, C. Ofe, and D. Chukwuemeka as defendants. The IGP’s counsel, Victor Okoye, charged the suspects with aiding, abetting, and conspiring to commit computer-related forgery by altering data on JAMB’s CAPS and e-facility, leading to the issuance of fake admission letters.
The prosecution argued that the suspects’ actions violated the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which prescribes a penalty of three years imprisonment or a monetary fine. The IGP’s legal team further emphasized that the defendants’ activities caused financial loss to JAMB and were intended to confer economic benefits on themselves, thereby committing computer-related fraud.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, setting the stage for trial. During the resumed court proceedings, the defense lawyers appealed for bail, arguing that the alleged offenses are bailable and that the defendants should be released pending the trial’s outcome. Barrister T. Adebite, representing the fifth defendant, contended that his client is protected by law to be granted bail under the court’s discretionary powers.
In opposition, the IGP’s counsel, Okoye, maintained that the defendants were involved in a “cybercrime offense” and highlighted the potential for evidence tampering if bail were granted. He cited special circumstances, including the severity of the crime and the ongoing investigation, as reasons for denying bail.
After hearing from both sides, Justice Peter Lifu scheduled August 30, 2024, for a ruling on the bail application.
The case gained attention after the police, on June 13, 2024, announced the arrest of three suspects, now among the defendants, in connection with alleged conspiracy, computer-related forgery, and system interference. The police reported that the suspects had admitted varying levels of involvement in the conspiracy. A digital forensic analysis led to the discovery of four fake domains and websites, and the arrest of two principal actors from a syndicate in Imo State responsible for creating the fraudulent domains.
As the case progresses, the court will decide the validity of the prosecution’s and defense’s arguments.