ICPC clears air on rearrest of former JAMB registrar, Dibu Ojerinde

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has explained why Dibu Ojerinde, a former registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), was re-arrested.

Ojerinde was arrested in Abuja within the premises of a federal high court on Thursday, January 26.

A former deputy director at JAMB, Jimoh Olabisi, on Wednesday, January 25, alleged that Ojerinde used him to divert public funds while in office.

The ICPC, on July 6, 2021, arraigned Ojerinde on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of N5.2 billion.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Azuka Ogugua, ICPC spokesperson, said that Ojerinde is expected to face a team of investigators over new evidence uncovered in relation to his ongoing trial over alleged diversion of funds.

The ICPC spokesperson said that its operatives uncovered two accounts opened in the names of Trillium Learning Centre Limited and Sapati International Schools Limited, into which funds were diverted using fictitious names of students, The Cable reports.

The statement reads, “The commission, on December 12, 2022, invited the former JAMB registrar for questioning over the new evidence but he wrote through his solicitor requesting 14 days grace to enable him honour the invitation.

“Ojerinde, however, refused to honour the invitation as undertaken by his counsel after the expiration of the 14 days he requested for.

“In the course of its ongoing investigation, the commission unearthed new evidence that suggests that Ojerinde is the sole signatory to various bank accounts operated in the name of Trillium Learning Centre Limited and Sapati International School Limited.

“Ojerinde reportedly operated those accounts using false identities and forged documents in the names of Joshua Olakulehin Olaniran and Akanbi Lamidi, respectively.

“He also reportedly used another false identity, Adeniyi Banji, to operate a separate account in the name of Standout Institutes Limited.”

The ICPC added that it has recovered the chequebooks of the companies’ accounts from Ojerinde.

“The commission may likely prosecute the former registrar before a court of competent jurisdiction for offences bordering on forgery of documents, stolen identity, money laundering and concealment of gratification if the new evidence is confirmed,” the agency added.