THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again arraigned the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde, on allegations bordering on official corruption, abuse of office and forgery.
A statement signed on Thursday, June 15 by the spokesperson of ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, revealed that Ojerinde was docked alongside his children: Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Ojerinde.
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The linked six companies docked with him are Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited, and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited.
ICPC in a charge No: FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023 presented before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 7, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, informed the court of the multiple layers of fraudulent identities and conspiracies designed by the defendants to conceal crimes.
Presenting one count out of a 17 charge, the ICPC counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, revealed to the court how the former JAMB boss conspired, allegedly, with three of his children (Oluwaseun Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde and Adebayo Ojerinde) to sell off property worth $150,000 situated at House No. 4 Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase 2, Accra, Ghana, even after the property had been forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the statement, “Ojerinde was also accused of incorporating the aforementioned companies and taking up simultaneous appointments as Chairman and Director, while being a public officer on full-time appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna, and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, knowing very well that the Code of Conduct for public officers forbids them from engaging in private business other than farming or participating in shareholding of joint stock companies.”
Ojerinde was alleged to have deployed this to avoid various anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policies of the government like the Know Your Customer (KYC) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
ICPC noted that the actions are punishable under sections 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
It is also contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006 and Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2007.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
“Bail was granted to the ex-JAMB boss on terms earlier granted to him by the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is standing trial, while the four children were admitted bail in the sum of N20,000,000) each and a surety in like sums who must have landed properties not below the value of the bail sum and within the jurisdiction of the court,” the statement said.
The judge ordered the other defendants to surrender their international passports to the court and avoid travel abroad without recourse to the court.
The case was adjourned to November 13, 14, 15 and 16, 2023 for hearing.
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