Richard Ginika Izuora
Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is to be arraigned on July 6, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged N900 million fraud.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date on Monday, June 28, after counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ebenezer Shogunle, disagreed with the terms of the plea bargain application the defence counsel, P.A.O. Olorunnisola, SAN, had planned to file before the court.
The ICPC, said that the former chief executive officer allegedly committed multiple frauds; while heading JAMB and the National Examination Council, (NECO).
When the matter in the suit number: CR/97/21 filed before the court, was called, in which Ojerinde is the sole defendant his counsel, Olorunnisola, told the court that arrangements were being made for a plea bargain.
However, Shogunle, who had already been served with a copy of the process; disagreed with Olorunnisola’s submission, saying the Commission was not in agreement with the terms in the application.
Citing an authority to back his submission, he argued that the application for a plea bargain before arraignment was in conformity with the provisions of the law.
Justice Egwuatu held that since the prosecution was not in agreement with the terms put forward by the defence; a written correspondence should be filed to the effect.
The judge then adjourned the matter until July 6 for arraignment.