By John Moses
Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, and the country’s anti-graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have agreed to explore an out-of-court settlement over allegations involving the misappropriation of approximately N5.2 billion.
At a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that discussions were underway for an administrative resolution. “There is a development; an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled,” Ogana explained, requesting the court to adjourn the case until after the court’s vacation.
ICPC counsel Lesie Iheduru confirmed the ongoing talks, adding: “We are not opposed to an adjournment.” Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned proceedings until 20 October for a report on the potential settlement or for the defence to present its case.
Ojerinde was initially arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge, including corruption and fraud, allegedly committed during his tenure as head of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO). He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Earlier in June, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by Ojerinde’s legal team, ruling that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence requiring the former registrar to enter his defence. The ICPC alleges that Ojerinde abused his office by diverting public funds, thereby breaching sections of Nigeria’s Corrupt Practices Act and the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
This is not the first attempt at a plea deal: in February 2022, Ojerinde sought to negotiate with the ICPC, but those talks eventually fell through.
The outcome of the latest reconciliation effort is expected to be reported when the case resumes in October.
