The absence of both the defence and prosecution teams marked a significant moment in the ongoing N5.2 billion fraud trial against Dibu Ojerinde, ex- Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Both parties did not attend the scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, leaving the court without updates on the status of settlement discussions that were allegedly resumed more than six months prior.
Also absent was Ojerinde himself, a professor.
Without any representatives present, there was no information regarding the settlement discussions that could have potentially advanced the trial's proceedings, which had already reached an advanced stage. The discussions had initially been disclosed to the court last July, indicating that the trial had been stalled since then.
When the proceedings were called before Judge Obiora Egwatu, neither a representative from the prosecuting agency—the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—nor anyone from the defence team was present to announce their appearance. Consequently, Judge Egwatu adjourned the session until March 25, specifying the requirement for reports on any settlement reached or a resumption of the trial.
During previous proceedings on July 16, 2025, both Ojerinde and the ICPC had informed the court about the resumption of their settlement talks. This announcement came shortly after the trial judge mandated Ojerinde to present his defence, marking a considerable delay since earlier settlement attempts failed two years ago.
The defence lawyer, Eteya Ogana, indicated that the case presentation was deferred to allow the settlement talks to progress, a sentiment echoed by prosecutor Lesie Iheduru, who did not oppose the motion for adjournment. However, since that time, the case has encountered further delays.
Understanding the background of the case, Ojerinde served as the registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO) from 1999 to 2007 before taking on a similar role in JAMB from 2007 until 2016. In July 2021, he was charged by the ICPC on 18 counts related to the embezzlement of N5.2 billion in public funds and allegations of misuse of his office during his tenure at both examination bodies.
Earlier attempts to resolve the charges outside of court failed in February 2022, facilitating the ICPC to commence calling its witnesses in evidence collection shortly after.
As the ICPC completed its case presentation and filed a no-case submission to dismiss charges against him, the court dismissed that submission last month, asserting that Ojerinde indeed had a case to respond to, leading to an order for him to initiate his defence.
Further complicating his legal challenges, Ojerinde is also facing additional charges alongside some of his children in a separate Federal High Court case. The ICPC claims that they colluded to illegally sell off a property after it had been forfeited to the federal government. This property, valued at $150,000, is located in Accra, Ghana.
Another allegation includes Ojerinde's multiple business involvements alongside his appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of both NECO and JAMB, against the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, which limits such engagements. In 2020, ICPC secured a court ruling to seize diverse assets tied to Ojerinde, including schools and filling stations.
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