From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday said it has arrested and detained a former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, for allegedly misappropriating N900 million.
This was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by ICPC Spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, noting that the former JAMB boss was arrested on March 15, 2021, in Abuja.
He was alleged to have committed multiple fraud while heading JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).
The statement reads, “He has been detained by the Commission for questioning over allegations of multiple identities, abuse of office, money laundering, tax evasion, and making false statements to public officials.
“The former JAMB boss is also being questioned by the Commission for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to shell companies which cannot be traced, the statement read in part.
Moreover, Ojerinde was also alleged to have awarded contracts for the supply of pencil and eraser at the cost of N450 million each, to Double 07 Concept Limited and Pristine Global Concept Limited, respectively, between 2013 and 2014 while heading JAMB.
“There is no evidence to show that the items which are examination materials were supplied as the contractors cannot be found.
“Similar contracts were allegedly awarded to Solid Figures Limited, Holywalk Limited, and other companies for various sums without any trace of executions,” Ogugua said in the statement.
Ojerinde is currently being held on a remand warrant and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Recall that the Federal Government had last year seized some properties of the Ex-Jamb Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde through an interim forfeiture order granted by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The court said the properties were likely acquired with public funds and thus represent proceeds of unlawful corrupt activities.
The Igboho-born first Professor of Test and Measurements was the JAMB Registrar between 2007 and 2016.
He was succeeded by Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
Prof Oloyede has reportedly remitted unspent funds of about N5 billion since he assumed office as Jamb Registrar.
