Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have asked the court for time to settle the N5.2 billion case.

Ojerinde, who was arraigned by the ICPC over the alleged fraud through his lawyer, Eteya Ogana, informed Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after the matter was called that they had opted to settle outside the court.

Ogana said, though the matter was adjourned for the defence to open their case today, there was a development where parties were exploring to see if the matter could be settled administratively.

He said, given the foregoing, “we shall be asking for a long date after vacation to enable us to report same”.

Similarly, ICPC’s counsel, Lesie Iheduru, also corroborated Ogana ‘s statement, adding that talks were ongoing on the reconciliation move.

Justice Egwuatu consequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 20 for report/settlement or defence.

Ojerinde had earlier in February 2022, opted for a plea bargain with the anti-corruption commission before the settlement collapsed.

The former JAMB Registrar was arraigned on an 18-count charge in July 2021 by the commission for offences of corruption and fraud, when he headed the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB.