Former JAMB Registrar, Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, is standing trial over an alleged N5 billion fraud.
Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have agreed to explore an out-of-court settlement in a N5.2 billion fraud case.
During a recent court session, Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, informed Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the parties were exploring an administrative settlement.
Ogana said, “There is a development; an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled.”
ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, corroborated Ogana’s statement, saying, “The position stated by the learned counsel for defence is absolutely correct.
“Talks are ongoing on the reconciliation move.”
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until October 20 for a report on the settlement or for the defence to proceed.
This development follows a previous attempt at a plea bargain in February 2022, which ultimately collapsed.
Ojerinde was arraigned on an 18-count charge in July 2021, bordering on corruption and fraud, including allegations of diverting N5.2 billion from government coffers during his tenure as Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB and NECO.
The ICPC alleged that Ojerinde conferred corrupt advantage upon himself, violating several sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
