N5.2bn fraud case: Absence of lawyers stalls ex-JAMB registrar’s trial

Proceedings in the N5.2 billion fraud trial of Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), were on Wednesday stalled due to the absence of legal representatives for both the prosecution and the defence at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

When the case was called before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, neither the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) nor Ojerinde was represented by counsel.

Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter to March 25 for either a report on the out-of-court settlement earlier agreed upon by the parties or continuation of trial. The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued to all parties.

Ojerinde and the ICPC had, on July 16, 2025, informed the court of plans to settle the case administratively.

Earlier, Eteya Ogana, Ojerinde’s counsel, had told the court that although the matter was scheduled for the defence to open its case, discussions were ongoing to resolve the case out of court.

This position was corroborated by ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru.

The former JAMB registrar had previously sought a plea bargain with the anti-corruption agency in February 2022, but the move later collapsed.

Ojerinde was arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge bordering on corruption and fraud, allegedly committed during his tenure as Registrar of JAMB and as head of the National Examinations Council (NECO). He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Justice Egwuatu had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence, holding that the ICPC had established a prima facie case and ordering Ojerinde to enter his defence.

The ICPC alleged that Ojerinde abused his office and diverted public funds amounting to N5.2 billion while heading JAMB and NECO.

According to the proof of evidence, the alleged offences contravene Sections 19, 24, 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.