NSCDC Exposes Fake NYSC Member Who Cloned Cambridge Emails to Defraud Parents

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has dismissed recent media claims alleging that the corps demanded bribes and unlawfully detained suspects, while revealing that a fake NYSC member was behind a sophisticated scholarship fraud targeting parents. The clarification was made by Dr. Olusola Odumosu, NSCDC FCT Commandant, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Odumosu, investigations showed that 27-year-old Joseph Nanmwa Philips from Plateau State was an impostor who forged his NYSC call-up letter to secure placement at the International Model Science Academy, Kwali, a subsidiary of the National Mathematical Centre. Philips allegedly collected over ₦1.3 million from parents under the pretense of registering their children for Cambridge University scholarships, sending fraudulent confirmation emails from cloned Cambridge email addresses, and instructing parents not to verify with the university.

Philips was arrested on February 6, 2026, by NSCDC officers in Kwali following complaints of forgery, hacking, and impersonation. He was transferred to the FCT Command on February 9, 2026, interrogated, and granted bail under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, though he failed to meet bail conditions. A remand order from a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja was subsequently obtained in accordance with legal procedures.

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During the briefing, Odumosu denied claims that the NSCDC demanded ₦1.4 million as a ‘Commandant’s charge’, clarifying that the sum referenced the fraudulent funds collected by Philips, which were to be returned to victims. He also refuted allegations of mistreatment or starvation of suspects, emphasizing that the corps feeds all detainees at least twice daily in line with ACJA provisions.

Evidence against Philips includes a disclaimer letter from the NYSC FCT office, statements from seven defrauded parents, a forged NYSC call-up letter, an NYSC uniform, and documents showing financial transactions. Philips admitted forging the call-up letter during interrogation.

Odumosu further disclosed that the recent media report was allegedly sponsored by Chimezie Otuojo, a separate suspect on administrative bail, in an attempt to discredit the NSCDC. The commandant also addressed a separate report concerning a 69-year-old man, clarifying that his detention and bail proceedings were fully lawful following complaints involving ₦217 million criminal breach of trust, and no illegal demands were made.

The NSCDC warned that it may take legal action against media outlets or individuals publishing unverified claims capable of damaging the corps’ reputation. Odumosu reassured the public that the NSCDC remains committed to protecting lives, property, and critical national assets, urging government agencies and private organizations to verify the identities of individuals presenting NYSC placements to prevent future fraud.

NSCDC Exposes Fake NYSC Member Who Cloned Cambridge Emails to Defraud Parents

Court Grants ICPC Access to Examine Devices Seized from El-Rufai’s Home

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) permission to examine and analyse electronic devices recovered from the residence of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai in Abuja. The ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, follows an ex-parte motion filed by the commission through its counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.

The court’s order allows ICPC to conduct forensic inspections, data extraction, and analysis on about 14 electronic devices seized during a search operation at El-Rufai’s residence. The items include Sony and Toshiba storage devices, Samsung and Nokia phones, a Blackberry device, Google IDEOS phone, Remarkable tablet, Apple MacBook Pro, Seagate FreeAgent external drive, ZTE mobile phone, multiple flash drives, and a microSD memory card. The matter, listed as FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2026 (Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai), is part of an ongoing investigation by ICPC into alleged corruption involving the former governor.

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Earlier, El-Rufai filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the same Federal High Court (FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026), challenging the lawfulness of the search conducted at his residence on February 19, 2026. In his suit, filed through Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, he alleged that the operation violated his constitutional rights, including rights to dignity, privacy, fair hearing, and personal liberty. He sought, among other reliefs, a declaration that the search warrant was invalid, an order that any evidence obtained during the search be deemed inadmissible, immediate return of all seized items along with a detailed inventory, and ₦1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.

In response, the ICPC maintained that the search was based on a valid court-issued warrant executed on February 19 between 1:37 pm and 3:56 pm. The commission added that its operatives were accompanied by Nigeria Police Force personnel and that the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and son, Mohammed El-Rufai. The police, in a counter-affidavit sworn by Insp. Ewa Anthony, affirmed their statutory authority to investigate and prosecute offenses and described the operation as lawful and procedurally compliant. They also argued that El-Rufai’s suit appeared to be an attempt to obstruct ongoing investigations.

Legal experts note that the ruling is a significant development in Nigeria’s anti-corruption enforcement, reinforcing the ICPC’s authority to conduct forensic investigations even against high-profile public officials. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for how electronic evidence can be seized and analysed in ongoing corruption probes. The case continues to attract national attention as proceedings unfold, with El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit still pending before the court.

Court Grants ICPC Access to Examine Devices Seized from El-Rufai’s Home

Lagos Youths Protest Power Outages as Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis Deepens

Youths in Lagos on Thursday, March 12, staged protests over persistent power outages, blaming the worsening electricity crisis in Nigeria on gas supply constraints affecting power generation.

The demonstrators, largely made up of young residents and small business owners, gathered in parts of the city early in the morning to express frustration over prolonged blackouts that they say are disrupting daily life and damaging economic activities.

Chanting slogans and carrying placards, the protesters accused the government of failing to address the country’s long-standing power supply challenges. Some of the placards read, “We Need Light,” “Power Our Homes,” and “Electricity Is Not a Luxury.”

Residents say the erratic electricity supply in Lagos has worsened in recent weeks, forcing households and businesses to rely heavily on fuel-powered generators, which has further increased the cost of living amid rising fuel prices.

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Nigeria’s electricity sector has struggled for years with multiple challenges, including gas supply disruptions to power plants, aging infrastructure, weak transmission networks, and insufficient investment in the sector.

During the campaign leading to the 2023 presidential election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to tackle Nigeria’s chronic power shortages by boosting electricity generation and improving the distribution network. However, critics argue that progress has been slow, and the recent blackouts have renewed scrutiny of the administration’s energy policies.

Protesters said reliable electricity supply is essential for economic growth, small businesses, and everyday life. They urged the federal government and stakeholders in the power sector to urgently resolve the gas supply bottlenecks affecting electricity generation across the country.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the protest. However, energy experts maintain that addressing gas supply constraints, improving infrastructure, and increasing investment will be critical to stabilising Nigeria’s electricity supply.

The protest reflects growing public frustration in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, where millions of residents continue to grapple with unreliable electricity despite repeated government promises of reform in the power sector.

Lagos Youths Protest Power Outages as Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis Deepens