A Grade One Area Court seated at Aco Estate, Abuja, recently convicted Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, owner of a CBT center, for various infractions including registration fraud, concealment, breach of trust, and theft.

Ezechinoso, hailing from Onitsha, Anambra State, faced allegations of signing for and acquiring sensitive registration materials from JAMB's Anambra State office, intending to commence UTME registration but instead concealing them to defraud the board.

JAMB, in a statement, expressed satisfaction with the court's action, pledging to pursue justice in a similar data protection violation case involving a 15-year-old candidate, currently before a Lagos court.

The board reassured the parents of the 15-year-old girl and the public of their commitment to ensuring justice prevails.

Elaborating on Augustine's conviction, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin outlined the charges against him, including criminal breach of trust, concealment, registration fraud, and theft.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olisaemeka Okeke, confirmed Augustine's guilty plea while the defendant's counsel, Barrister Pere Adge, pleaded for leniency, citing his Nigerian nationality and lack of prior offenses.

Presiding judge, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko, found Augustine guilty on all counts and ordered his remand at Nasarawa Correctional Center until the delivery of judgment on Thursday, 8th February 2024.

Despite a postponement due to unforeseen circumstances, the judgment was delivered the following day, Friday, 9th February 2024. Augustine was found guilty on all charges, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines.

JAMB welcomed the verdict, cautioning potential violators to refrain from illegal activities or face severe consequences. The board highlighted its robust technological infrastructure for detecting infractions in real-time.

JAMB reiterated its commitment to safeguarding its systems and clients against any form of violation, emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance on infractions of national statutes.

Furthermore, JAMB affirmed its dedication to pursuing justice in cases involving data protection violations, reassuring the affected parties of due process and fair outcomes.