Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have resumed talks aimed at reaching an out-of-court settlement in the N5.2 billion fraud case instituted against him.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, disclosed that both parties were considering an administrative resolution of the case.
“There is a development — an intervention — which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled,” Ogana told the court. He requested a long adjournment until after the court’s vacation to allow time to conclude settlement talks.
Counsel to the ICPC, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed the development and said the commission was not opposed to the adjournment.
Following this, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case till October 20 for a report on the outcome of the settlement efforts or to proceed with the defence.
This marks the second time both parties are considering a plea bargain after a similar attempt in February 2022 collapsed.
Ojerinde, who served as the head of both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB, is facing an 18-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and diversion of public funds amounting to N5.2 billion. He was first arraigned in July 2021 and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The ICPC had alleged that Ojerinde, during his tenure as the chief executive of both institutions, abused his office and diverted huge sums of money for personal benefit — actions said to be in violation of sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
In June 2024, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendant, ruling that a prima facie case had been established by the prosecution and ordering Ojerinde to open his defence.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
