The Former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde standing trial before the federal high court in Abuja has opted for a plea bargain with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ICPC in order to get a soft landing.
At the trial on Tuesday, Ojerinde pleaded with the court to give him 24 hours to settle himself with ICPC through plea bargain instead of formal trial.
His new lead counsel, Ibrahim Ishyaku told the court that his client prefers out of court settlement known as plea bargain to resolve the matter and the trial could commence if after 24 hours, the matter could not be resolved.
ICPC lawyer, Ebenezer Sogunle did not oppose the move but insisted that the trial would proceed in case the plea bargain fails.
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC) had on July 8, 2021 arraigned the former JAMB Registrar on an 18 count charge bordering on diversion of public funds to the tune of over N900 million.
He was said to have committed the offense during his tenure as Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO) and JAMB.
Ojerinde however pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was later admitted to bail in the sum of N200M.
Trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu therefore fixed February 9, for report of the plea bargain to be presented.
Editor: Hadiza.A.A
