Former registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his intention to pursue an out-of-court settlement in the N5.2 billion fraud case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Ojerinde is facing an 18-count charge over allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure at JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
At Wednesday’s resumed hearing, Eteya Ogana, counsel to Ojerinde, told the court that both parties were in talks to resolve the matter administratively.
“We shall be asking for a long date after vacation to enable us to report same,” Ogana said.
ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed that reconciliation talks were ongoing and did not oppose the defence counsel’s request.
Presiding judge Obiora Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the matter to October 20 for either a report on the proposed settlement or for the defendant to begin his defence if negotiations fail.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court had dismissed Ojerinde’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds requiring him to enter a defence.
The ICPC alleges that Ojerinde, while in office, fraudulently diverted government funds amounting to N5.2 billion. He was arraigned in July 2021 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In 2022, a previous attempt at a plea bargain between Ojerinde and the ICPC fell through.
