Ojerinde Ex-Jamb Registrar Seeks Plea Bargain With ICPC Over ‘N900m Fraud’

Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has requested a plea bargain with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, in order to receive a lighter sentence.

On Tuesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the federal High Court Abuja division directed Mr Ojerinde to reach an agreement with the ICPC and report back to court the next day with the terms of the settlement.

Justice Egwuatu postponed the case until February 9 to allow for the presentation of the plea bargain report.

What Took Place in court

When the case was called up, Ojerinde’s counsel, Ibrahim Ishyaku, informed the court that his client would prefer to settle the matter outside of court. He requested an adjournment to that effect.

“My Lord,” Ishyaku said, “our plea is that we be given 24 hours to explore the possibility of plea bargaining to resolve this matter and that the trial be adjourned for the period to allow us to come up with our terms of settlement.”

Mr Ebenezer Sogunle, counsel for the ICPC, told the court that he does not object to the opposing counsel’s request; however, if the plea bargain falls through, the trial will proceed.

What You Need To Know

Mr Ojerinde was arraigned by the ICPC on an 18-count charge of diversion of public funds totaling over N900 million on July 8, 2021.

He is being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds while serving as JAMB Registrar.

He was granted bail in the amount of N200 million after pleading not guilty to the ICPC’s charges.

Plea bargaining is an agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a less severe sentence or an agreement to drop other charges.