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 agreed to explore an out-of-court settlement over an ongoing N5.2 billion fraud case. During a session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, informed Justice Obiora Egwuatu that discussions were underway for an administrative resolution of the matter. He requested a long adjournment to allow both parties to finalise the talks. ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed the development and raised no objections to the request.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case until October 20 to allow for a possible settlement or for the defence to open its case. The move marks another attempt at reconciliation after earlier plea bargain efforts in February 2022 failed. Ojerinde, who previously headed both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO), is facing an 18-count charge involving corruption and financial misappropriation. He was arraigned in July 2021 and pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
In June, the court rejected a no-case submission by Ojerinde’s legal team, ruling that the ICPC had provided enough evidence requiring the defendant to present his defence. The anti-corruption agency accused Ojerinde of misusing public office and diverting funds amounting to N5.2 billion for personal benefit while serving as the head of JAMB and NECO. The charges include breaches of various sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
