June 16, (THEWILL) – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Thursday, arraigned a former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, over allegations bordering on corruption, abuse of office, and forgery.
Ojerinde was arraigned alongside his children, Mary Funmilola Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde.
Six companies linked to him, namely: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited were also arraigned.
ICPC in a Charge No: FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023 brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 7, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, the anti-corruption Commission informed the court of the multiple layers of fraudulent identities and conspiracies designed by the defendants to conceal crimes.
In one count out of a 17-count charge, the Commission through its counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, told the Court how the former JAMB boss conspired with three of his children (Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde and Adebayo Ojerinde) to sell off property worth $150,000,00.
“These actions are contrary to and punishable under sections 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006 as well as contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2007,” the charge read in part.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
Ojerinde was, however, granted bail on terms earlier granted to him by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
His four children were also admitted to bail in the sum of N20,000,000 each. They were also asked to produce a surety in like sums, who must have landed properties not below the value of the bail sum and within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court also ordered the other defendants to surrender their international passports to the court.
They were also asked not to travel outside the country without recourse to the court, and that the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified.
The matter was then adjourned to the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of November 2023 for hearing.
