The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accredited 72 centres in Lagos State for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The State Coordinator, Mr. Sunday Aladegbaye, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that 63 centres were accredited for the examination this year.

He said the increase indicated that more candidates were likely to participate in 2018 Computer Based UTME.

“Preparations are in top gear for the examination in the state.

“We have accredited 72 centres that have met our requirements for the conduct of the mock and the main examination in 2018.

“But this figure can increase,’’ Aladegbaye said.

He warned mischief makers to desist from setting up strange centres for registration to defraud innocent Nigerians.

“Experience has shown that some group of persons will create a strange website in the name of JAMB and be registering candidates to defraud them.

“This is misleading just as it is criminal.

“We also wish to reach out to candidates to go to only approved centres for their registration.

“We (JAMB) will not be accountable for anything that happens to them.’’

The JAMB official said the board would prosecute any person or group of persons caught operating any illegal or unaccredited registration centre for its examinations.

He said the board was prosecuting a fraudster in court for allegedly registering candidates for the 2017 UTME.

“He operated the centre at a place very close to our Lagos office on Ojora Way in Lagos.

“When he was caught, he did not show any remorse.

“We will continue with the case until justice is achieved, to act as a deterrent to others.

“We are a credible organisation and feel strongly that things should be done the right way and with due process.

“It is only logical that any person or persons willing to do business with JAMB should go through the right channel in order not to cause Nigerians pains,’’ Aladegbaye said.