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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by Professor Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in the ongoing N5.2 billion fraud case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence through its witnesses to warrant a defence from the accused. “The elements of the offence have been identified by the ICPC’s witnesses. The defendant is therefore required to enter his defence,” the judge said.
Mr. Ojerinde, who also previously served as Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), is facing an 18-count charge bordering on corruption, abuse of office, and fraudulent diversion of public funds. He was arraigned in July 2021 and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The ICPC, through its counsel Ebenezer Shogunle, alleged that Mr. Ojerinde illicitly enriched himself while serving at both JAMB and NECO, in violation of multiple provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
Though his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ibrahim Ishyaku, had earlier attempted a plea bargain in 2022, the arrangement fell through, prompting the continuation of the trial. After the prosecution closed its case, Mr. Ojerinde’s lawyers filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented did not establish a prima facie case.
Justice Egwuatu disagreed, noting that several witnesses had given relevant testimonies directly linking the defendant to the alleged offences, including counts related to advance fee fraud and corrupt practices.
As a result, the judge dismissed the no-case submission and ordered Mr. Ojerinde to present his defence. The matter was adjourned until July 16, 2025, for further hearing.
– NAN
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