ICPC arrests Ex-JAMB Registrar, Prof Ojerinde over alleged N900m fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Wednesday, has arrested a former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof Dibu Ojerinde, for allegedly misappropriating N900million.

A statement that was endorsed by ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, declared that Prof Ojerinde was arrested by agents of the Commission on Monday, March 15.

He was claimed to have committed multiple frauds when he was the head of both JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).

In accordance with the statement, “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.

“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.

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

Dibu Ojerinde is a Nigerian Professor of Tests and Measurement, educational administrator and a former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

He obtained a degree in education and Masters of education (M. Ed) at Obafemi Awolowo University. He later proceeded to Cornell University, Ithaca, New York where he received a Ph. D degree in Educational measurement.

Ojerinde became a Professor of Tests and Measurement in October 1986.

In 1999, he was appointed as the Registrar of National Examination Council (NECO). He held this position for 8 years. After his tenure in 2007, he was appointed as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a position he held for 5 years and was reappointed on 10 April 2012.

Ojerinde is the President of the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA).