Trial of former JAMB Registrar, Ojerinde Stalled as Lawyer Announces Withdrawal

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The trial of former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was stalled yesterday following announcement by his lawyer, Mr. Peter Olorunishola (SAN) that he was withdrawing from the case.

Ojerinde is standing trial on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.2 billion.

He was arraigned on July 6 and after he entered a not guilty plea, the court had fixed September 29, for commencement of trial.

When the matter was called yesterday, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ebenezer Shogunle, informed the court that he was prepared and has three witnesses in court.

However, one Itieubong Usoroh (who said he held the brief of the actual defence lawyer (Olorunishola), said Olorunishola has written the court about his decision to withdraw from the case and that he also needed time to address some issues surrounding the payment of his professional fees.

Usoroh said Olorunishola has therefore applied for a short adjournment to enable them resolve all pending issues to allow for his formal withdrawal.

Responding, Shogunle agreed that the defendant was entitled to a lawyer of his choice, but argued that such entitlement should not be exploited to delay the trial.

He therefore, urged the court to be guided by the provision of Section 393(3) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in granting a short adjournment.

In a short ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, granted the request for adjournment and fixed October 8 for trial.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/97/2021, Ojerinde was accused among others of complicity in the diversion of public funds estimated at over N5.2billion.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) claimed that Ojerinde committed the alleged offences contained in the charge, from when he served as the Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), through is days in JAMB till 2021.