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ICPC re-arraigns ex-JAMB registrar Ojerinde, children, 6 others

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again re-arraigned the former registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde over allegations bordering on official corruption, abuse of office and forgery.

Mr Ojerinde was docked on 17 count charges alongside his four children, and six other companies allegedly linked to him, a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua on Thursday says.

The children are: Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, Oluwaseun Ojerinde and six companies linked to him, namely: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited.

According to the statement, the ICPC in charge no: FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023, brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High in Abuja, informed the court of the multiple layers of fraudulent identities and conspiracies designed by the defendants to conceal crimes.

In one count out of a 17-count charge, the Commission through its counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, told the Court of how the former JAMB boss conspired with three of his children (Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde and Adebayo Ojerinde) to sell off property worth One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000:00) situated at House No. 4 Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase 2, Accra, Ghana even after the property had been forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr Ojerinde was also accused of incorporating the aforementioned companies and taking up simultaneous appointments as Chairman and Director, while being a public officer on full-time appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, knowing very well that the Code of Conduct for Public Officers forbids public officers from engaging in private business other than farming or participating in shareholding of joint stock companies.

The Court was also informed of how the 1st defendant (Ojerinde) in order to avoid various anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policies of government, notably Know Your Customer (KYC) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) policies, took measures to conceal his ownership and active participation in the management of some of these companies by using forged documents, stolen identities and synthetic names.

As a result of some of these acts, the former JAMB registrar is also standing trial at the Niger State High Court as well as Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged corruption and other ancillary offences.

These actions are contrary to, and punishable under sections 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006 as well as contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2007.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Bail was granted to Mr Ojerinde on terms earlier granted to him by the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is standing trial while the four children were admitted bail in the sum of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) each and a surety in like sums who must have landed properties not below the value of the bail sum and within the jurisdiction of the Court.

The trial judge, in handing down the bail conditions, also ordered the other defendants to surrender their international passports to the Court and must not travel outside the country without recourse to the Court, and that the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified.

The matter was then adjourned to the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of November 2023 for hearing.

ICPC re-arraigns ex-JAMB registrar Ojerinde, children, 6 others

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again re-arraigned the former registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde over allegations bordering on official corruption, abuse of office and forgery.

Mr Ojerinde was docked on 17 count charges alongside his four children, and six other companies allegedly linked to him, a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua on Thursday says.

The children are: Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, Oluwaseun Ojerinde and six companies linked to him, namely: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited.

According to the statement, the ICPC in charge no: FHC//ABJ/CR/119/2023, brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High in Abuja, informed the court of the multiple layers of fraudulent identities and conspiracies designed by the defendants to conceal crimes.

In one count out of a 17-count charge, the Commission through its counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, told the Court of how the former JAMB boss conspired with three of his children (Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde and Adebayo Ojerinde) to sell off property worth One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000:00) situated at House No. 4 Ahomko Drive, Achimota Phase 2, Accra, Ghana even after the property had been forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr Ojerinde was also accused of incorporating the aforementioned companies and taking up simultaneous appointments as Chairman and Director, while being a public officer on full-time appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, knowing very well that the Code of Conduct for Public Officers forbids public officers from engaging in private business other than farming or participating in shareholding of joint stock companies.

The Court was also informed of how the 1st defendant (Ojerinde) in order to avoid various anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policies of government, notably Know Your Customer (KYC) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) policies, took measures to conceal his ownership and active participation in the management of some of these companies by using forged documents, stolen identities and synthetic names.

As a result of some of these acts, the former JAMB registrar is also standing trial at the Niger State High Court as well as Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged corruption and other ancillary offences.

These actions are contrary to, and punishable under sections 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006 as well as contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2007.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Bail was granted to Mr Ojerinde on terms earlier granted to him by the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is standing trial while the four children were admitted bail in the sum of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) each and a surety in like sums who must have landed properties not below the value of the bail sum and within the jurisdiction of the Court.

The trial judge, in handing down the bail conditions, also ordered the other defendants to surrender their international passports to the Court and must not travel outside the country without recourse to the Court, and that the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified.

The matter was then adjourned to the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of November 2023 for hearing.

Court grants Seun Kuti bail

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A Magistrate Court in Yaba on Tuesday granted bail to Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti. Mr Kuti is expected to produce two sureties who own landed properties in Lagos State. Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun also ordered police to complete its investigation within 48 hours.

Mr Kuti was charged with assault on a police officer, an offence contrary to Section 356 of the Criminal Code Act. The police prosecutor, S. A. Adebese had prayed that the court remand the defendant for 21 days. Mr Adebese said the three weeks would allow the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prepare its legal advice.

But the defence counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opposed the plea in his argument. Olumide-Fusika begged the court not to remand his client, adding that he was not aware of an application to that effect.

Mr Kuti was arrested for slapping an officer after his vehicle was stopped on Third Mainland Bridge.

At the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, Kuti refused to volunteer any statement during questioning.

His lawyer said police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin made himself the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) by “issuing a report of his investigative work” in the media.

Police File Charges Against EFCC Officers Over Alleged Culpable Homicide

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has suspended two of its officers over alleged homicide.

The suspended officers were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Sokoto on a two-count bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Head of Media of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, said the officers – Apata Odunayo and OgbujibTochukwu – were suspended for their role in the death of Inspector Abel Dickson due to injuries allegedly sustained from a scuffle the late Inspector had with the suspended officers.

“The two officers with whom he had a disagreement have been suspended by the Commission and handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he stated.

“The latest information is that a two-count holding charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrate Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto. Both offences are punishable under Sections 60 and 191 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019.

“Without prejudice to the Police investigation, they will, in addition, face further disciplinary measures in line with the Commission’s staff regulation.”

Uwujaren stated that without prejudice to the police investigation, the suspended officers will, in addition, face further disciplinary measures in line with the Commission’s staff regulation.

NGX commends ASHON for Enhancing Professionalism, Ethics in Capital Market

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Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has lauded the Association of Securities Dealing Houses (ASHON) for enhancing professionalism and ethical conduct in the market.

This was disclosed at the Closing Gong Ceremony, yesterday, in Lagos, commemorating the return of members of the ASHON to the trading floor of NGX.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of NGX, represented by Director on the Board of NGX, Mr Kamarudeen Oladosu , said the event served as a recognition of the “remarkable contribution of the Association to a dynamic, responsive, and vibrant capital market that has sustained service delivery to stakeholders and value to the investing public.”

Oladosu commended the strategic role the Association played in providing professional guidance and enforcing ethical standards to guide the stockbroker community saying: “We are confident that today’s event would provide an opportunity to renew our partnership, strengthen our relationship and explore new areas of collaboration that is both mutual and beneficial.”

NGX Group chairman, Dr. Umar Kwairanga, commended members of ASHON for the achievements of the association in raising the standards of skills and qualifications as well as enhancing trust in the financial services sector. He commended the Past Chairmen of the association for their significant contribution to the capital markets, which have sustained the association on the path of growth and expansion. He reiterated the commitment of NGX Group, to continue partnership that would be beneficial to the capital market

The Chairman of ASHON, Mr Sam Onukwue, giving his remarks, emphasized the importance of the return of full trading activities to the floor of the Exchange. He noted that it would “rekindle relationships and consolidate the professional traits, characterized by the noble profession — collaboration, respect for one another, and leveraging on the collective knowledge of the market.”

Onukwue stated the trading floor was the “temple of capitalism and provides veritable opportunities to dissect social and economic events,” which was the reason why exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and others retain trading floors. He said the Association and the Stockbroking community would continue collaborating with NGX on growth initiatives.

The CEO, NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, noted that the level of professionalism and ethical conduct in the capital market had gone up significantly to measure up to global standards since ASHON was established in 2006 as a national trade group of all dealing members of the now demutualised Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).