The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed why Dibu Ojerinde, a former registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), was re-arrested.
Ojerinde was first arrested in July 2021 on an 18-count charge related to the alleged misappropriation of funds totalling N5.2 billion.
Despite pleading not guilty and being granted an N200 million bail, Ojerinde was apprehended again in the Federal High Court Abuja car park as he was leaving after his trial was adjourned to February 15th.
In a statement on Thursday, the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, said Ojerinde was rearrested over new evidence uncovered in relation to his ongoing trial over the alleged diversion of funds.
Jimoh Olabisi, a former deputy director at JAMB, had, at a court hearing on Wednesday, alleged that Ojerinde used him to divert federal government funds.
The ICPC, also said it uncovered two accounts opened in the names of Trillium Learning Centre Ltd and Sapati International Schools Ltd, into which funds were diverted using fictitious names of students.
“The commission had on the 12th December 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 to honour the invitation,” ICPC said.
“Ojerinde, however, refused to honour the invitation as undertaken by his counsel after the expiration of the 14 days grace on 27th December 2022.
“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 Ltd and Sapati International School Ltd.
“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 Ltd.”
The ICPC said 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 bothering on forgery of documents, a stolen identity, money laundering and concealment of gratification if the new evidence is confirmed,” the agency added.
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