Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday dismissed the no-case submission filed by former Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registrar, Dibu Ojerinde, in his ongoing trial for alleged fraud involving ₦5.2 billion.
Ojerinde, arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since July 2021, is facing an 18-count charge linked to accusations of fraudulent diversion of government funds and abuse of office during his tenure as registrar of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
In her ruling, Justice Egwuatu stated that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Ojerinde through credible witness testimonies, thereby warranting that the accused enter his defence.
The court consequently rejected the no-case submission as lacking merit and adjourned the trial to July 16 for the defence to begin.
The ICPC alleges that Ojerinde illicitly enriched himself by diverting public funds and granting corrupt advantages while heading two of Nigeria’s premier examination bodies.
These charges contravene several sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (2000) and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act (2006).
Earlier in February 2022, Ojerinde attempted a plea bargain through his lawyer, Ibrahim Ishyaku, but negotiations broke down, prompting the continuation of the trial.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case—marked by the presentation of multiple witnesses—the former registrar sought to halt proceedings through a no-case submission. However, Justice Egwuatu dismissed the application, underscoring the sufficiency of evidence to proceed.
Ojerinde has consistently pleaded not guilty to all allegations and is now expected to enter his defence when the trial resumes.
