The N5.2 billion fraud trial of former Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Dibu Ojerinde, was stalled on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of lawyers for both the prosecution and defence.
When the case was called before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, neither the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) nor Ojerinde were represented, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter to March 25 for either a report of settlement or continuation of trial. Justice Egwuatu also directed that hearing notices be issued to all parties.
Reports indicate that both Ojerinde and the ICPC had on July 16, 2025, informed the court of moves to settle the N5.2 billion matter out of court. At a previous sitting, Ojerinde’s counsel, Eteya Ogana, had informed the court that although the trial was set for the defence to open its case, efforts were ongoing to resolve the matter administratively. ICPC counsel, Lesie Iheduru, corroborated this position.
Ojerinde, who was arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge of corruption and fraud, had earlier, in February 2022, entered into a plea bargain arrangement with the anti-graft agency, which subsequently collapsed.
The ICPC had accused the former JAMB registrar of multiple financial infractions while heading both the National Examinations Council and JAMB, including abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of public funds totaling N5.2 billion. Ojerinde pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Justice Egwuatu had previously dismissed Ojerinde’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordering him to enter his defence. The judge held that the prosecution had identified the elements of the alleged offences through its witnesses.
The commission stated that the offences contravened 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.
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