Money laundering: Continued adjournment stalls trial of ex-JAMB Registrar, Ojerinde, four children

The trial of Prof Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and his four children on money laundering allegations has been adjourned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The trial was halted on Wednesday by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo in response to a request for an adjournment by another Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Ahmed Raji, who had recently been hired by some of the defendants in the criminal allegations.

During the hearing on Wednesday, lead counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ebenezer Sogunle, told the judge that his witnesses were present and that he was ready to proceed with the trial.

However, Raji SAN, who announced a presence for four of the ten offenders, informed the Judge that he had only recently been hired to represent his clients.

The senior lawyer stated that substantial documents had just been handed over to him and that he needed time to review them before taking a decision.

Furthermore, Raji stated that the ICPC has not to serve him with the proof of evidence, as required by law.

Raji begged Justice Ekwo for an adjournment so that he could do what was necessary for his clients in the interest of justice.

Because the senior lawyer was appearing in the matter for the first time, ICPC counsel verified that the proof of evidence had not been served.

He did not object to the request for a continuance so that the defense could prepare for the trial.

However, Justice Ekwo expressed dismay about the trial’s adjournment chains and warned that there would be consequences if any other lawyer in the matter requested another adjournment.

The Judge then scheduled the criminal offenses for accelerated trial on February 19, 20, 21, and 22.

It will be remembered that on Monday, Ibrahim Isiyaku, SAN, sought an adjournment before Justice Ekwo in order to make suitable arrangements for another batch of defendants.

On June 15, the ICPC charged the ex-JAMB registrar with official corruption and abuse of power.

In a charge marked FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023, Ojerinde was arraigned alongside four of his children as the ninth to eleventh defendants: Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Ojerinde.

Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited, and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited are also named as defendants in the 17-count charge.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them, and the judge granted them bail.

The ICPC charged the former JAMB boss and three of his children (Oluwaseun Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, and Adebayo Ojerinde) with conspiring to sell off property worth $150,000 that had been forfeited to the Federal Government by a court order.

House No. 4 Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase 2, Accra, Ghana is the address.

The prosecution also accused Ojerinde of incorporating companies and holding concurrent positions as chairman and director while serving as registrar and chief executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna, and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, Abuja.