Ex-JAMB Registrar Dibu Ojerinde Faces ₦5.2 Billion Fraud Trial After Court Rejects His Defense
Court Rejects Former JAMB Registrar Ojerinde's Argument for No Trial on Alleged ₦5.2 Billion Fraud Charges
In a blow to Dibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a federal high court in Abuja has squashed his no-case submission in a ₦5.2 billion fraud case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to our sources, the court, led by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled on Tuesday that Ojerinde has a case to answer based on the strong evidence presented by the anti-graft agency. The judge confirmed that the prosecution's witnesses provided enough evidence to link Ojerinde with the alleged offenses, necessitating that he offer an explanation for his actions.
The trial proceedings were held on July 16, where Justice Egwuatu declared: "The no-case submission is hereby dismissed. The prosecution has established enough evidence requiring the defendant to offer explanations."
Ojerinde, a prominent figure who led both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO), was arrested in July 2021 and charged with an 18-count crime, including criminal diversion of public funds, abuse of office, and conspiracy to defraud the federal government.
These charges were brought against Ojerinde for violating provisions in both the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006. According to the ICPC's lead counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, Ojerinde allegedly diverted billions of naira into private companies and personal accounts while serving at JAMB and NECO.
In an unsuccessful attempt to expedite the case, Ojerinde proposed a plea bargain in February 2022. Nevertheless, the arrangement fell through, and the proceedings continued. The ICPC had several witnesses testify, and closed its case, after which the defense filed a no-case submission, which was recently rejected by the court.
Among the key allegations, the ICPC accuses Ojerinde of conferring undue advantages on himself, in violation of anti-graft laws. Despite the charges he faces, Ojerinde has consistently pleaded not guilty.
As the trial progresses, stay tuned for updates on this high-profile case.
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Insight:**
Dibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of JAMB, is entangled in a ₦5.2 billion fraud investigation. The ICPC, the accusing body, alleges that Ojerinde abused his office and diverted public funds during his tenure at both JAMB and NECO through various linked private companies and accounts. The charges against him violate several legal provisions, including sections 19, 24, and 25 (1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006. Ojerinde is also accused of conferring corrupt advantages on himself in violation of anti-graft laws.
- The trial of Dibu Ojerinde, the former JAMB Registrar, who is currently facing a ₦5.2 billion fraud case, has taking a significant turn as the federal high court in Abuja dismissed his no-case submission.
- The court, led by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled on Tuesday that Ojerinde has a case to answer based on the strong evidence presented by the ICPC, linking him to alleged offenses such as criminal diversion of public funds and abuse of office.
- The judge's ruling comes after the ICPC accused Ojerinde of violating provisions in both the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006, by allegedly diverting billions of naira into private companies and personal accounts while serving at JAMB and NECO.
- As the trial progresses, the case, which is rooted in politics and policy-and-legislation, serves as a high-profile example of crime-and-justice in Nigeria, a country that continues to grapple with corruption.
- Meanwhile, in general news, the Nigeria Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB, the focus of much ongoing political debate, have been criticized for their exam administration, while JAMB has recently announced rescheduled 2025 UTME results and made public announcements regarding the upcoming exam.
