Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement in the ongoing N5.2 billion corruption case.
Ojerinde’s counsel, Eteya Ogana, informed Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja of the new development during a session on Tuesday. The matter had been scheduled for the defence to open its case, following the dismissal of a no-case submission earlier in June.
“There is a development — an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled,” Ogana told the court. He requested an adjournment until after the court’s vacation to allow the parties conclude discussions.
Counsel to the ICPC, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed the move, stating that reconciliation talks were ongoing and that the commission was not opposed to the adjournment.
Justice Egwuatu granted the application and adjourned the matter until October 20, 2025, for report of settlement or continuation of the defence.
Prof. Ojerinde was first arraigned by the ICPC in July 2021 on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and corruption during his tenure as head of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
The commission alleged that the former registrar fraudulently diverted N5.2 billion from government coffers and conferred corrupt advantages on himself — actions said to violate provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
In February 2022, Ojerinde initially sought a plea bargain, but the deal later collapsed, leading to the continuation of trial. He had maintained his innocence, entering a not guilty plea to all charges.
The outcome of the new settlement talks is expected to shape the next phase of the high-profile corruption case.
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