EX-JAMB REGISTRAR OJERINDE REMANDED IN CUSTODY OVER ALLEGED N5.2 BILLION FRAUD

In a significant development, Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, the former registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has been remanded in custody following accusations of large-scale fraud. Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that Ojerinde be held in a correctional facility until his bail application is heard on July 8.

The charges, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), are serious. Ojerinde is facing an 18-count charge, accusing him of the diversion of over N5.2 billion in public funds during his tenure as the head of two key educational institutions in Nigeria—first at the National Examination Council (NECO) from 2003 to 2006, and later at JAMB, where he served until 2021. The alleged offenses span nearly two decades, involving the fraudulent misappropriation of resources meant to support Nigeria’s education sector.

When the charges were read in court, Ojerinde, dressed in a white native outfit, firmly pleaded not guilty. His defense counsel, Peter Olorunnishola (SAN), immediately filed for bail, citing the previous administrative bail granted by the ICPC. However, this request met opposition from the prosecution, represented by Ebenezer Shogunle, who argued that Ojerinde should not be granted bail, as the charges against him were grave, and could possibly hinder the ongoing investigation.

Olorunnishola requested additional time to respond to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, which had been served to the defense team late. The court granted this request but ordered that Ojerinde remain in custody until the bail application hearing, thereby marking a key moment in what could become one of Nigeria’s most high-profile corruption cases in recent years.

Ojerinde’s fall from grace is a stark reminder of the government’s increasing efforts to tackle corruption within the public sector. The case highlights the accountability now being demanded from even the highest-ranking officials. For years, JAMB and NECO have played vital roles in Nigeria's educational landscape, and the allegations of funds being siphoned away from these institutions have sent shockwaves through the country.

As the case proceeds, Ojerinde’s legal team will have to confront the overwhelming accusations of embezzlement, mismanagement, and breach of trust. The upcoming bail hearing on July 8 will determine whether he can regain temporary freedom as the trial continues. With the eyes of the nation on this case, it is likely to spark further debate about public sector reform and the need for greater transparency in Nigeria's institutions.

The ICPC’s investigation into Ojerinde’s tenure is seen as part of a broader effort to address corruption in Nigeria’s education system, which many believe has hindered progress and development for years. The trial is expected to be lengthy, and with billions of naira at stake, the outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for Ojerinde but for future governance in Nigeria.

This unfolding legal drama is sure to be watched closely, as it represents both a cautionary tale and a potential landmark case in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The results of the trial will likely influence how future cases of alleged fraud within governmental agencies are handled, and will serve as a litmus test for the current administration's anti-corruption stance.