By: Manoah Kikekon
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| JAMB |
National Assembly, Abuja – A tense confrontation erupted at the National Assembly on Wednesday when officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout during a scheduled hearing with the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies.
The committee had summoned JAMB to an investigative hearing to provide clarity on its budget performance for 2023 and 2024, its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and remittances to the government's Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
The session turned contentious shortly after it began. The JAMB delegation, led by Mufutau Alabi Bello, a director from the Registrar’s office, reportedly refused to introduce themselves. They insisted that the meeting be conducted behind closed doors and that members of the press be asked to leave.
This demand was immediately rejected by the lawmakers, who emphasized the necessity of public transparency in matters of accountability. In response, the JAMB officials stood up and abruptly exited the hearing room.
As they left, they were heard accusing the committee of planning to publicly embarrass them, a claim that provoked strong reactions from the visibly angered legislators.
Following the walkout, the committee chairman, Hon. Oforji Oboku, described the incident as "unfortunate and unacceptable." He revealed that the committee had sent three consecutive letters requesting the documents and that the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, failed to appear personally.
“Our responsibility is to make sure that all agencies under our watch are accountable to Nigerians. We have no intention whatsoever to witch-hunt anyone,” Oboku stated.
The committee has now issued a final summons for the JAMB Registrar to appear in person with his management team and the requested documents by next Tuesday. Failure to comply, the chairman warned, would lead to "necessary actions" under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which grant the legislature its oversight and investigative powers.
Other committee members expressed outrage, with Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante labeling the act a "contempt of Parliament." He questioned the agency's motive, suggesting it raises concerns about financial transparency.
“If JAMB can walk out on a committee of the National Assembly, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians,” Abiante said.
Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake raised concerns about the identity of the delegation leader and the Registrar's absence. “It’s even more embarrassing that the man who walked out was not the Registrar. We don’t even know who he is,” she noted.
Another lawmaker, Hon. Rodney Amboiowei, criticized the agency's push for a private session. “Public funds must be accounted for in the open. It is not JAMB’s right to dictate that a parliamentary session be held behind closed doors,” he asserted.