The planned arraignment of a former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) Professor Lawrence Adedibu Ojerinde and others on fresh corruption charge was stalled on Friday owing to the non-service of copies of the charge on all the defendants as required by law.
It was only Ojerinde that was in court on Friday when the case was called.
His three sons, Olumide Abiodun Ojerinde, Adedayo Ojerinde and Oluwaseun Adeniyi Ojerinde and the daughter- in- law, Mary Funmilola Ojerinde, also listed as defendants in the case, were absent.
When asked by the judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, why the other defendants were absent, the prosecuting lawyer from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Henry Emore said the prosecution was yet to serve the other defendants.
Emore then applied for an adjournment to enable him put his house in order.
Before adjourning, Justice Ekwo ordered that the charge be served on the other defendants through their counsel, Ajibola Bello, who was in court.
Emore then handed copies of the charge to Bello as ordered by the judge.
Justice Ekwo subsequently fixed April 19 for arraignment, but warned that there would be cosequencies should the other defendants fail to attend court on the adjourned date.
Beside Ojerinde, his sons and their in-law, other defendants in charge are: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Ltd, Cheng Marbles Ltd, Sapati International Schools Ltd, Trillium Learning Centre Ltd, Standout Institutes Ltd and Esli Perfect Security Printers Ltd, said to belong to the ex-JAMB Registrar.
Ojerinde and his companies are facing a money laundering charge to the tune of N5 billion before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
in this fresh charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/119/23, the ex-JAMB boss and other defendants are accused on engaging in money laundering.
