Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have mutually agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement in the ongoing N5.2 billion fraud case.

The development was disclosed during a court session at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 16, 2025, where Ojerinde's legal representative, Eteya Ogana, informed Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the new direction both parties wish to take.

"There is a development; an intervention which parties are exploring to see if the matter can be administratively settled," Ogana stated in court. He further requested a postponement to allow for the settlement process to progress.

ICPC's counsel, Lesie Iheduru, confirmed this position, stating: "The position stated by the learned counsel for defence is absolutely correct." He acknowledged that reconciliation talks were underway and did not oppose the adjournment request.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the matter until October 20 for a report on the settlement progress or for the defence to proceed with its case if the settlement fails.

This is not the first time Ojerinde has sought a settlement in this case. In February 2022, he had opted for a plea bargain with the anti-corruption commission, but those negotiations eventually collapsed.

The former JAMB boss was initially arraigned in July 2021 on an 18-count charge of corruption and fraud allegedly committed during his tenure as head of both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB. He had pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The ICPC has accused Ojerinde of diverting public funds to the tune of N5.2 billion and conferring corrupt advantages upon himself while serving as the Registrar and Chief Executive of both examination bodies. These actions allegedly violated Sections 19, 24, 25 (1) (a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and Section 1 (1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.

On June 10, Justice Egwuatu had dismissed Ojerinde's no-case submission and ordered him to enter his defence after the ICPC closed its case against him.

The case represents one of the high-profile corruption prosecutions in Nigeria's education sector and has drawn significant public interest since it began.

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