Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, in his ongoing trial over an alleged ₦5.2 billion fraud.
Ojerinde, who was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in July 2021, is facing an 18-count charge bordering on alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient prima facie evidence against the defendant, warranting a response.
“The witnesses presented by the ICPC have established elements of the offence against the defendant that require him to enter a defence,” he said.
The judge subsequently dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendant to begin his defence. The case was adjourned to July 16 for continuation of trial.
The ICPC alleged that Ojerinde engaged in multiple corrupt acts while serving as Registrar of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO), fraudulently diverting funds amounting to ₦5.2 billion from public coffers for personal gain.
Ojerinde has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to Ebenezer Shogunle, counsel for the ICPC, the former registrar is accused of violating Sections 19, 24, 25(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006. The commission also alleged that he repeatedly conferred corrupt advantages on himself during his tenure at the two examination bodies.
In February 2022, Ojerinde attempted to enter a plea bargain through his lawyer, Ibrahim Ishyaku, but negotiations broke down and the trial resumed.
The ICPC has since closed its case after calling multiple witnesses. The court’s dismissal of the no-case submission now clears the path for the defence to begin its presentation in what continues to be one of Nigeria’s most high-profile corruption trials in the education sector.
