The former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have decided to resolve the N5.2 billion fraud case through an out-of-court settlement.
Ojerinde’s legal representative, Eteya Ogana, made this known to Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after the case was called for hearing.
Ogana stated, “There is a development; an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled.” He further explained that given the new development, the defense would be requesting a lengthy adjournment until after the Court’s vacation. “That is our humble application,” he added.
ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed the development, stating, “The position stated by the learned counsel for defence is absolutely correct.” He added that reconciliation discussions were currently ongoing. “Therefore, we are not opposed to adjournment,” Iheduru concluded.
In response, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the proceedings to October 20, allowing time for either a settlement report or continuation of the defence.
Back in February 2022, Ojerinde had previously chosen to pursue a plea bargain with the ICPC, though the effort ultimately failed.
The ICPC had initially charged Ojerinde in July 2021 with 18 counts of corruption and fraud allegedly committed during his tenure as head of both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB. Ojerinde pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
On June 10, Justice Egwuatu dismissed Ojerinde’s no-case submission, directing him to begin his defence. The former registrar, through his counsel, argued that the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case and asked for the charges to be thrown out.
This stage followed the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, where witnesses had already been presented.
The ICPC accused Ojerinde of engaging in various corrupt practices and embezzlement involving N5.2 billion during his leadership at NECO and JAMB. In its evidence, presented by ICPC’s counsel Ebenezer Shogunle, the commission claimed he unlawfully used his official position to benefit himself.
The commission said these alleged acts contravened Sections 19, 24, 25 (1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
