In a ₦5.2 billion fraud case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Dibu Ojerinde filed a no-case submission, which Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected.
On the basis of the anti-graft agency’s prima facie findings, the court reportedly decided on Tuesday that Ojerinde has a case to answer.
Ojerinde had to enter his defense since the prosecution’s witnesses had sufficiently connected him to the accused offenses, according to Justice Egwuatu’s ruling.
By this action, the no-case submission is rejected.
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The judge decided that the prosecution had shown sufficient evidence to demand an explanation from the defendant.
The case was postponed until July 16 so that the defendant may present his defense.
Ojerinde, who formerly served as the head of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO), was charged with 18 counts in July 2021 that included conspiracy to defraud the federal government, abuse of office, and illegal diversion of public monies.
Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006 and Sections 19, 24, and 25(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act of 2000 are violated by the claimed offenses, according to Ebenezer Shogunle, the lead counsel for the ICPC.
Through his attorney, Ibrahim Ishyaku (SAN), Ojerinde had tried to reach a plea agreement in February 2022, but the agreement fell through and the trial went forward.
After the ICPC questioned several witnesses and concluded its case, the defense filed a no-case petition, which was later rejected.
Ojerinde was accused by the ICPC of transferring billions of naira into personal accounts and private firms while working as a registrar at NECO and JAMB, among other major charges.
In violation of the anti-graft legislation, the panel also said that he gave himself an unfair benefit.
On all accusations, however, Ojerinde has entered a not guilty plea.
