The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned four men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates' Court on charges of examination malpractice and impersonation during the recently conducted Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.

The defendants, identified as Damilola Rufai (27), Tella Oriyomi (19), Temidayo Williams (20), and Ibrahim Akindele (23), all residents of Lagos, were charged with impersonation, examination malpractice, and felony.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, the offenses were committed on April 26 at various examination centers across Lagos State. The prosecutor told the court that the first defendant, Rufai, allegedly entered an examination center to impersonate another candidate, while the three other defendants were caught engaging in examination malpractice at different centers.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate O.O. Kushanu.

The Chief Magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned until June 16 for mention.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about examination integrity in Nigeria's educational system, particularly with high-stakes examinations like JAMB, which serves as a crucial gateway for tertiary education admission for millions of Nigerian students annually.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has in recent years intensified efforts to combat examination malpractice through various technological and administrative measures, including biometric verification and strict monitoring of examination centers.