N5.2bn Fraud: Ex-JAMB Registrar Ojerinde Seeks Out-Of-Court Settlement

Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he is seeking an out-of-court settlement in his ongoing N5.2 billion fraud trial.

Ojerinde, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over an 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal diversion of public funds, is now pushing for an administrative resolution of the matter.

At the resumed proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Eteya Ogana, informed the court that discussions were ongoing between parties with the aim of settling the case outside the courtroom.

“We shall be asking for a long date after vacation to enable us to report same,” Ogana told the court.

Counsel to the anti-graft agency, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed that reconciliation talks were underway and did not oppose the request.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his ruling, adjourned the matter till October 20 to receive a report on the out-of-court settlement or for the defendant to open his defence if the talks collapse.

The court had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by Ojerinde, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to enter his defence.

The ICPC alleged that the former NECO and JAMB boss used his position to siphon public funds running into billions through fake companies and proxies while heading both examination bodies.

Ojerinde was first arraigned in July 2021 and has since pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

This is not the first time the embattled academic is attempting to negotiate his way out of the case. In 2022, a plea bargain arrangement with the ICPC collapsed following disagreement over terms.