A former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have agreed to resolve the alleged ₦5.2bn fraud case instituted against him out of court.
Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, disclosed this on Thursday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after the matter was called.
Ogana said although the matter was slated for the defence to open its case, both parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement.
He said, “There is a development, and the parties are exploring the possibility of settling the matter administratively. We shall be asking for a long date after the vacation to enable us to report back.”
ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, also confirmed the reconciliation move, saying talks were ongoing between both sides.
Consequently, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter till October 20 for either a report of settlement or the commencement of the defence.
Ojerinde, a former registrar of the National Examinations Council, was arraigned by the ICPC in July 2021 on an 18-count charge bordering on corruption, abuse of office, and fraud totalling ₦5.2bn.
He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Although he initially entered a plea bargain with the anti-graft agency in February 2022, the deal collapsed after both parties failed to reach a resolution.
On June 10, 2024, Justice Egwuatu dismissed Ojerinde’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.
The ICPC alleged that while serving as registrar of JAMB and NECO, Ojerinde engaged in multiple fraudulent acts, including the diversion of public funds for personal gain.
According to the commission, he conferred corrupt advantages upon himself in breach of Sections 19, 24, and 25 (1)(a)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The matter resumes on October 20.
