N5b Fraud: ‘I Won’t Run Away’ — Ex-JAMB Registrar Facing 18-Count Charge Seeks Bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned till July 8 to decide on a bail application filed by former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dibu Ojerinde.

Ojerinde was on Tuesday arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged N5b fraud.

But he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the not guilty plea was taken by the defendant, his lawyer, Peter Olorunnisola, SAN, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that his client would not jump bail, adding that a lower court ( where he is facing a separate trial) in Minna had already granted him bail.

“My lord, we have filed an application for bail.

“The defendant has a case in Minna, he has appeared at the State High Court Minna…he has been granted bail.

“The man is still here and there is nothing to fear…he won’t run away,” he said while adding that his client’s international passport was in the custody of the Minna court.

He added that his client was billed to appear in Minna on Wednesday for his trial.

But counsel to the ICPC, Ebenezer Shogunle, opposed his application.

He argued that the federal government had what it takes to move anyone anywhere.

“My lord, we have been served and we have opposed the application and have equally served a counter affidavit.

“We oppose the application for bail…

“He said he will be appearing in Minna tomorrow, that can be taken care of.

“The state has facilities to move detainees,” he said.

But Olorunnisola urged the judge to use his discretion on the matter.

“My lord, we have just been served (counter affidavit) and I have not been able to go through it…

“The court gives discretion to the judge to grant bail,” he said.

Responding to the lawyers, trial judge Egwuatu said he would rule on the bail application on July 8.

However, he said that the “defendant shall be remanded in correctional facility” till then.

THE WHISTLER reported that the operatives of the anti-corruption commission had in March arrested Ojerinde on allegation of misappropriation of funds.