The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory Command has detained a 27-year-old individual named Joseph Nanmwa Philips on charges of impersonating a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member through the use of forged documents, including a counterfeit call-up letter. He reportedly taught at a school for nearly a year under this false identity.
During a press conference held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Abuja, the commandant of the NSCDC FCT, Olusola Odumosu, dismissed online allegations that the agency unlawfully held a supposed corps member while requesting ‘commandant’s fees’ for his release.
Odumosu characterized these claims as “baseless, malicious and an intentional distortion of facts for sensationalist purposes.”
He stressed that the corps operates fully within the parameters of established laws and ethical standards.
"The suspect, Joseph Philips, 27, from Plateau State, has been identified as an impostor—he fraudulently created an NYSC call-up letter to secure a position at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali," he explained.
Philips was apprehended on February 6 after allegations of forgery, hacking, and impersonation surfaced. He was subsequently transferred to the FCT command on February 9 for further investigations.
According to Odumosu, Philips was granted bail the same day of his arrest but failed to satisfy the bail requirements due to the absence of a legitimate surety.
"As a law-abiding agency committed to the rule of law, we sought a remand order from the court," he stated.
Odumosu noted that a Magistrate Court located in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, subsequently approved a remand order in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015.
He also refuted accusations that the corps demanded a financial payment from Philips prior to his release.
"In contrast to the fabrications regarding supposed monetary demands made by the command for his release, the stated sum pertains to money unlawfully taken from several parents, which the suspect was supposed to reimburse," he clarified.
Investigations indicated that Philips allegedly swindled parents out of approximately N1.3 million by promising to facilitate scholarships to Cambridge University and offer additional lessons for their children.
Recovered items from Philips included a forged NYSC call-up letter, an NYSC uniform, financial transaction documents, a bag containing illicit drugs, and other materials linked to the deception.
Odumosu further dismissed allegations suggesting that the suspect was not provided adequate food while in custody.
"Any individual who has been detained in our facility will confirm that we ensure all suspects receive meals in alignment with the stipulations of the ACJA 2015, where suspects must be fed at least twice daily," he asserted.
“Currently, we possess substantial evidence, including a disclaimer letter from the NYSC FCT office and statements from seven affected parents regarding the impersonation, forgery, and extortion charges against the purported corps member, which will be presented in court during prosecution."
In statements to reporters, Philips admitted to falsifying the NYSC call-up letter after he was caught by the Kwali Division of the Corps due to forgery, hacking, and impersonation claims tied to the National Mathematical Centre.
The forgery enabled Philips to attain a teaching position at the International Model Science Academy, Kwali, where he taught while signing monthly clearance forms in Lugbe, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Earlier reports suggested that Philips was held in detention for over two months by the NSCDC following disputes with the owner of the International Model Science Academy.
It was stated that Philips, who taught Mathematics and Physics, was detained after he conducted extra coaching classes for students preparing for scholarship examinations without prior approval from the school management.
A former detainee identified as Chimezie Otuojor claimed that Philips was held for around 65 days without being presented in court and alleged that officials extorted N1.3 million and a further N120,000 described as a “commandant’s service charge” for his release.
Otuojor also alleged that Philips’s health had worsened during his time in custody and that he received inadequate nutrition while detained.
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