The trial of former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, was stalled yesterday, as his lawyer, Peter Olorunishola (SAN), withdrew from the case.

Ojerinde was arraigned on July 6 on 18 counts for alleged complicity in the diversion of public funds estimated at over N5.2 billion.

The prosecuting agency – Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) – claimed that Ojerinde committed the offences contained in the charge, from when he served as the Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), through his days in JAMB till 2021.

At the mention of the case yesterday, grey-haired Ojerinde, who wore a deep blue attire, rose from where he sat among the audience and went straight into the dock where he stood all through the proceedings.

The prosecuting counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, said the case was stood down for the commencement of trial, for which he was prepared and brought three witnesses in court.

Defence lawyer, Itieubong Usoroh (who said he held brief for Olorunishola), said Olorunishola had written the court about his decision to withdraw from the case and that he needed time to address some issues surrounding the payment of his professional fees.