By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde has asked for a plea bargain with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC).
The prosecution agency, had on July 8, 2021 arraigned the former JAMB Registrar on an 18 count charge bordering on diversion of public funds to the tune of over N900 million.
The Commission claimed he committed the offense during his tenure as Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO) and JAMB.
He however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was later admitted to bail in the sum of N200Million.
At the resumed trial yesterday, the defendant asked Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for 24 hours to settle himself with ICPC through plea bargain instead of formal trial.
Ojerinde, through his counsel, Ibrahim Ishyaku SAN, told the court that he prefers out of court settlement known as plea bargain to resolve the matter.
He asked the trial to be continued should he failed to resolved the matter with the prosecution agency.
“My Lord, our plea is that we be given 24 hours to explore the possibility of plea bargain to resolve this matter and we ask that the trial be adjourned for the period to enable us come up with our terms of settlement.”
Responding, counsel to ICPC, Mr Ebenezer Sogunle, who did not oppose the request, insisted the trial would proceed should the move fail.
On the bench ruling, Justice Egwuatu ruled the matter continues today(February 9) for report of the plea bargain to be presented.
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