The Ojerinde N5.2bn fraud trial was stalled at the Federal High Court Abuja after lawyers for both parties failed to appear, forcing an adjournment

Proceedings in the alleged N5.2bn fraud trial of a former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dibu Ojerinde, were stalled on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of lawyers for both the prosecution and the defence.

Also read: ₦6bn fraud: Ex-Jamb registrar, Ojerinde’s trial begins Wednesday

The case, which was fixed for hearing before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, could not proceed as neither the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission nor Ojerinde was represented when the matter was called.

Justice Egwuatu consequently adjourned the Ojerinde N5.2bn fraud trial until March 25 for either a report of settlement or continuation of trial.

He also directed that hearing notices be issued to all parties to ensure their appearance at the next sitting.

The adjournment followed earlier disclosures by both parties that efforts were ongoing to resolve the matter administratively.

On July 16, 2025, counsel to the defendant and the anti-graft agency had jointly informed the court of moves towards an out-of-court settlement.

At a previous hearing, Ojerinde’s counsel, Eteya Ogana, had told the court that although the case was slated for the defence to open its case, negotiations were still in progress.

The position was corroborated by ICPC counsel, Lesie Iheduru, who confirmed that discussions were ongoing.

Ojerinde had earlier attempted a plea bargain with the commission in February 2022, but the arrangement later collapsed, paving the way for the continuation of trial.

The former JAMB registrar was arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge bordering on corruption and fraud.

The ICPC alleged that while serving as head of the National Examinations Council and JAMB, Ojerinde abused his office and fraudulently diverted public funds amounting to N5.2bn.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Justice Egwuatu had previously dismissed Ojerinde’s no-case submission and ordered him to enter his defence, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.

The judge ruled that the elements of the alleged offences had been sufficiently identified by the prosecution’s witnesses.

Also read: EDUCATIONICPC Re-Arrests Former JAMB Registrar Ojerinde

According to the commission, the alleged offences contravened Sections 19, 24, 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 Act, 2006.