ICPC to appeal court decision on ex-JAMB boss, Ojerinde
The Independent Corrupt Practises And Other Related Offences Commission is set to file an appeal following the verdict of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering it to pay the former registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Dibu Ojerinde, the sum of N1 million as damages.
ICPC revealed this in a post captioned “Ojerinde: ICPC Set to Appeal Ruling” and shared on its official Twitter handle (@icpcnigeria) on Wednesday.
The PUNCH reports on Wednesday that the Federal High Court, Abuja, awarded a N1 million fine against the ICPC for the unlawful detention of former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dibu Ojerinde.
In the ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu also awarded the sum of N200,000 as a fine against the ICPC for Ojerinde’s cost of instituting the suit.
Justice Egwuatu held that it was undisputed that there was a pending charge against the ex-JAMB boss bordering on conspiracy to sell, sale of forfeited property, and multiple identity cards with different names against Ojerinde.
“The ICPC has expressed its dissatisfaction with the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The Commission intends to appeal the ruling of the court. The anti-corruption agency had a valid warrant issued by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court dated December 6, 2022, the ICPC said on Wednesday.
The ICPC had dragged the ex-JAMB boss before Justice Egwuatu in an 18-count money-laundering suit.
He was accused of diverting public funds to the tune of N5 billion.
Ojerinde was, however, re-arrested on January 26 by the operatives of the anti-graft commission while he was heading to his car with one of his sons after Justice Egwuatu adjourned further proceedings in the charge preferred against him.
(Punch)