N900m Fraud: Former JAMB Registrar Ojerinde Arrested

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde.

Naija News reports that the former JAMB CEO was arrested on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Abuja, has been detained at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

He was arrested for allegedly misappropriating N900 million and committing multiple frauds during his time as the head of JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Ojerinde is been interrogated for 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 ICPC for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to shell companies that cannot be traced.

Ojerinde is being held on a remand warrant and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

A statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, reads: “The former JAMB boss is also being questioned by the Commission for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to shell companies which cannot be traced.

“He was 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.

“Ojerinde is being held on a remand warrant and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”

Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has named a road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after President Issoufou Mahamadou of the Niger Republic.

This was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello.

According to the Minister, President Buhari named the road after the Nigerien president for his “significant role in the promotion of peace in Africa”.

“Earlier today, the first phase of the on-going Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) in Abuja was named the ‘Mahamadou Issoufou Expressway’ in honour of the President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou,” the minister said.

“The road was named after the Nigerien President by President @MBuhari as a mark of deep appreciation for the maintenance of brotherly relationship between Nigeria & the Rep. of Niger & in recognition of the Nigerien President’s significant role in the promotion of peace in Africa.”