TEx-JAMB registrar, Sons, Daughter-in-law Face Trial For Selling FG Property in Ghana
The Federal Government on Thursday arraigned the former registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Lawrence Adedibu Ojerinde, his three sons, and a daughter-in-law for allegedly selling a government property in Ghana.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) docked the defendants on 17-count criminal charges before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Prof Ojerinde, who had been previously charged twice for corruption and money laundering, was accused of disposing of a government property located at House No. 4, Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase Two, Accra, Ghana.
The property was said to have been forfeited to the Federal Government by a cot order but was sold by Ojerinde and his sons without authorization.
The charge also alleged that Ojerinde received corrupt benefits from one Jimoh Olabisi Olatunde while he was a public officer, in violation of the ICPC Act 2000.
The defendants included Ojerinde’s three sons: Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde, Adedayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde; and his daughter-in-law: Mary Funmilola Ojerinde.
They were also joined by six companies allegedly owned by the family: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Ltd, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Ltd, Trillium Learning Centres Ltd, Standout Institutes Ltd and ESLI Perfect Security Printers Ltd.
The ICPC accused Ojerinde of using fake names to acquire companies, open bank accounts, acquire petroleum stations, and buy landed properties in Ilorin, Kwara State, while he was a public officer.
It also alleged that his sons acted as agents to facilitate the sale of the property in Ghana.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The ICPC counsel, Ebenezer Adenekan Shogunle, opposed the bail applications of Ojerinde and Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, citing their repeated refusals to honour the invitations of the anti-graft agency and the possibility of filing additional charges against them.
He also informed the court that Ojerinde was facing similar trials before the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Niger State High Court in Minna.
Justice Ekwo granted bail to Ojerinde based on the previous bail conditions given to him by another Federal High Court in Abuja.
He also granted bail to his three sons and daughter-in-law in the sum of N20 million each with one surety each who must be property owners in Abuja with verified prooproofownership.
He ordered that the original title documents of the properties be deposited with the court and that the defendants surrender their passports to the court registrar and not travel out of the country without the court’s permission.
The court also advised Ojerinde, who was visibly crying in court, to seek immediate medical attention for his failing health so that he could stand trial as required by law.
He adjourned the trial to November 13, 14, 15 and 16 when the ICPC is expected to call 18 witnesses to testify against the defendants.
