Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have initiated moves to settle the ongoing N5.2 billion fraud case outside the courtroom.
The development was disclosed by Ojerinde’s lawyer, Eteya Ogana, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, shortly after the case was called.
Although the case was originally scheduled for the defence to open its case, Ogana told the court that both parties were exploring a possible administrative resolution. “There is a development; an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled,” he stated, requesting a long adjournment to allow time for the settlement process.
Counsel to the ICPC, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed the development, stating that reconciliation talks were ongoing and the agency had no objection to the adjournment.
Following the joint request, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until October 20, 2025, for either a report on the settlement or continuation of trial.
Ojerinde was arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge bordering on corruption and fraud allegedly committed during his tenure as head of both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In 2022, he had attempted to enter a plea bargain with the ICPC, but the negotiations broke down, leading to a full trial. After the prosecution closed its case, Ojerinde filed a no-case submission, which was dismissed on June 10, 2025. The court held that the ICPC had established a prima facie case, requiring the former JAMB boss to open his defence.
The ICPC accused Ojerinde of misappropriating N5.2 billion in public funds through various corrupt schemes while in office, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
