N450 million pencils contract: Former JAMB Registrar, Ojerinde arrested

Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde has been arrested and detained for awarding fictitious contract while in office between 2012 to 2016.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission investigating him took him into custody.

Ojerinde was accused of crimes including abuse of office, money laundering, and tax evasion as.well as awarding dubious contract which in the course of investigation, he was yet to exonerate himself.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ICPC, the former Registrar was being investigated for fraud amounting to N900 million which he systematically perpetuated during his tenure at the National Examination Council (NECO) between 1999 and 2007 and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, 2012 to 2016.

The anti-graft agency detained him for questioning over allegations of multiple identities, abuse of office, money laundering, tax evasion, and making false statements to public officials.

Two of such were contracts awarded for the supply of pencils and erasers at the cost of N450 million each to Double 07 Concept Limited, and Pristine Global Concept Limited, respectively in 2013 and 2014.

“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,” ICPC said.

Professor Ojerinde, who was arrested in Abuja on Monday, March 15, is being held on a remand warrant and will soon be charged to court after investigation is concluded.