The Independent
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences 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 on Thursday,
at the premises of a federal high court.
BACKGROUND
The ICPC had arraigned Ojerinde on July 6, 2021, on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of N5.2 billion while in office.
In a statement on Thursday, Azuka Ogugua, ICPC spokesperson,
said Ojerinde is expected to face a team of investigators over new evidence
uncovered in relation to his ongoing trial over alleged diversion of funds.
‘OJERINDE MAY FACE FRESH CHARGES’
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, on Thursday, said its operatives 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 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, stolen identity, money laundering and concealment of gratification
if the new evidence is confirmed,” the agency added.
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