JAMB Walks Out On Reps Panel Over Media Presence

A moment of high tension erupted at the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 29, following the abrupt departure of representatives from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during an investigative session with the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.

The panel, led by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had formally called upon JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede to attend personally and provide paperwork concerning the organization’s budget implementation for 2023–2024, contributions to the Federation Account, and financial statements from banks. Instead, the Registrar delegated a director, Mr. Muftar Bello, to stand in for him.

The situation turned dramatic mere moments into the hearing when Bello demanded that journalists vacate the chamber, asserting that the materials included “sensitive information.” The committee firmly turned down the demand, maintaining that the entire process was open to the public and that solely the Parliament possessed the authority under the constitution to decide the nature of its assemblies.

The confrontation intensified rapidly, culminating in a surprising action where the JAMB delegate rose to his feet, signaled for his colleagues to accompany him, and exited the gathering, leaving the legislators clearly stunned.

Outraged by this behavior, the committee ordered the Clerk to call in the Sergeant-at-Arms for the apprehension of the JAMB figure, though he had already departed the building.

The committee’s leader, Hon. Oforji, labeled the exit as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” cautioning that the legislative body would under no circumstances permit displays of insolence or interference with its supervisory duties.

“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar of JAMB requesting these documents. To our surprise, the Registrar failed to appear and instead sent a former Director of Finance and Accounts, who claimed we were out to embarrass them. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said.

He stressed that the panel’s goal was never to single out any particular entity but rather to promote openness and responsibility in handling taxpayer resources. “Our responsibility is to make sure all agencies under our watch are accountable to Nigerians. We have no intention whatsoever to witch-hunt anyone,” he added.

The committee delivered a seven-day deadline, mandating that the JAMB Registrar present himself along with his executive staff by the upcoming Tuesday, with a stern alert that noncompliance would prompt the representatives to invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, granting the National Assembly the tools to mandate adherence.

Additional representatives denounced JAMB’s behavior, portraying it as an outright affront to the Parliament and to citizens of Nigeria.

Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Andoni/Opobo–Nkoro Federal Constituency) declared that the departure constituted defiance against Parliament and established a “dangerous precedent” regarding responsibility in public administration. “If JAMB can walk out on a committee of the National Assembly, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians,” he said.

Abiante brought up previous scandals involving unaccounted-for government funds, noting, “We have heard of instances where snake or something swallowed money. Maybe a bigger swallow has happened, and they have not prepared themselves for the autopsy. It’s unfortunate.”

Hon. Rodney Amboiowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State) criticized JAMB’s push for a private meeting, arguing that it clashed with the core value of openness that public bodies should uphold. “Public funds must be accounted for in the open. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he said.

In a like vein, Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake (Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) raised doubts about the status of the individual heading JAMB’s group and voiced frustration over the Registrar’s absence. “It’s embarrassing that the man who walked out was not even the Registrar. We don’t know who he is. Nigerians want to know what JAMB is doing with their money,” she said.

The committee reinforced its admonition that JAMB was required to come before Parliament in the coming week to clarify its monetary activities, or else confront penalties outlined in the constitution.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli