ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by Professor Dibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in his ongoing trial over alleged fraud totalling ₦5.2 billion.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the prosecution, led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had established a prima facie case against Ojerinde sufficient to warrant a defence.
“The no-case submission fails and is dismissed,” Justice Egwuatu declared, before ordering the defendant to enter his defence.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, July 16, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Ojerinde is facing an 18-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and conferring of corrupt advantage upon himself during his tenure as head of both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB.
He was initially arraigned in July 2021 by the ICPC and has since pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the proof of evidence presented by prosecution counsel Ebenezer Shogunle, Ojerinde allegedly used his position to siphon public funds, violating several provisions of Nigeria’s anti-corruption statutes, including sections 19, 24, and 25 (1) (a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Among the allegations is that Ojerinde diverted government resources for personal use through various shell companies and front organisations.
A plea bargain previously initiated by Ojerinde in February 2022, through his legal counsel Ibrahim Ishyaku, failed, and the trial has proceeded with the ICPC calling multiple witnesses before closing its case.
