Court rejects ex-JAMB registrar Dibu Ojerinde’s no-case submission in ₦5.2bn fraud trial
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Dibu Ojerinde, the former registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Ojerinde is facing an 18-count charge related to an alleged ₦5.2 billion fraud.
“The witnesses presented by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have sufficiently established elements of the offences against the defendant,” Justice Egwuatu stated. As a result, he ruled that Ojerinde must enter a defence, adjourning the matter to July 16.
The ICPC has accused Ojerinde of engaging in various fraudulent activities while serving at both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB, claiming that he misappropriated government funds.
Ojerinde has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution, led by Ebenezer Shogunle, provided evidence suggesting that Ojerinde conferred corrupt advantages upon himself during his tenure. This alleged misconduct violates several sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000 and the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006.
In February 2022, Ojerinde attempted to negotiate a plea bargain through his lawyer, Ibrahim Ishyaku, but the efforts were unsuccessful, leading to the continuation of the trial. After presenting multiple witnesses, the ICPC closed its case, which prompted Ojerinde to submit his no-case plea that has now been dismissed by the court.
Source: Channels TV
