A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Professor Dibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in his ongoing trial over an alleged N5.2 billion fraud.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the prosecution, represented by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had established a prima facie case against the defendant that necessitates a defence.
“The no-case submission fails and is dismissed,” the judge declared.
The court subsequently ordered Ojerinde to open his defence and adjourned the case to July 16, 2025.
Ojerinde is standing trial on an 18-count charge related to abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of public funds during his tenure as the chief executive of both JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO). He was first arraigned in July 2021, pleading not guilty to all charges.
According to the ICPC, Ojerinde allegedly diverted government funds for personal gain, violating sections 19, 24, and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
Lead prosecution counsel Ebenezer Shogunle presented multiple witnesses to support claims of financial misconduct during the trial, which led to the ICPC closing its case.
A plea bargain arrangement sought by Ojerinde’s defence in February 2022 fell through after both sides failed to reach a consensus, resulting in the continuation of the trial. Ojerinde later filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to require him to open his defence—a motion the court has now dismissed.
The high-profile case continues to attract public attention, given Ojerinde’s former influential roles in Nigeria’s education sector.
