From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Condemnation has trailed a 3-year ban slammed on a candidate, Mmesoma Joy Ejikeme, for allegedly falsifying her result by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Mmesoma had insisted in a viral video that she printed her result from the official website and portal of the Board, stating that the allegation was untrue.
While weighing on the matter, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), questioned the parameters adopted by JAMB to conclude that Ejikeme forged her result, adding that the Board lacked the constitutional power to destroy her reputation.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, argued that the Board had tarnished the image of Ejikeme by spreading falsehood.
Onwubiko claimed that JAMB’s motive behind the sanction was rooted in what he called “Igbophobic discrimination.”
He called on the Anambra State government and other civil society organisations to protect the rights of Ejikeme.
He said: “We stand firm in condemning JAMB’s actions and call for justice to be served.
“The recent case of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s alleged fake JAMB score has ignited a firestorm of public outrage across national dailies and social media platforms.
“JAMB, without proper substantiation, accused Miss Ejikeme of manipulating her UTME result to fraudulently obtain scholarships and recognition.
“This reckless and seemingly official statement has resulted in a relentless condemnation of an innocent girl who achieved the highest score in the JAMB examination.
“It is worth noting that JAMB has failed to provide crucial details, such as how the alleged manipulation occurred, when it happened, whether it was an individual act or involved a group of individuals, or even the specific app or software supposedly used to hack JAMB’s database or server.
“It is clear that the distinction between manual and electronic manipulation has been deliberately blurred by JAMB.
“By launching these baseless accusations against Miss Ejikeme, JAMB has not only undermined her reputation but has also shown a complete disregard for her rights as a child, as outlined in the Child Rights Act of 2003.
“Section 11(c) of this Act explicitly states that every child is entitled to respect for their dignity and should not be subjected to attacks upon their honour or reputation.
“JAMB’s actions have demonstrated either a gross ignorance of or contempt for Nigerian laws, particularly those protecting the rights of children.
“We firmly believe that JAMB’s motive behind this senseless attack on Miss Ejikeme is rooted in Igbophobic discrimination.
“The repeated mention of Anambra State and INNOSON in their ill-advised public statement suggests a biased agenda aimed at undermining a young girl’s achievements simply because of her geographical and ethnic background.
“This reprehensible act is a clear violation of the principles of fairness, equality, and the rights of Nigerian citizens.”
He added: “As a minor, she lacks the capacity to defend herself in cyberspace and deserves the full protection of her rights as stipulated in the Child Rights Act.
“HURIWA, along with women’s groups and civil society organizations, stands united in defending Miss Ejikeme, upholding the Child Rights Act, and safeguarding the rights and well-being of Nigerian children.
“We insist that JAMB must provide reparations to Miss Ejikeme for the unwarranted assault on her dignity, honour, and reputation.
“We stand firmly with Miss Joy Ejikeme, who bravely came forward and shared a video of the original result she printed from the JAMB portal.
“Her actions highlight the manipulative tactics employed by JAMB to discredit innocent students, particularly those from the Igbo ethnic group.
“It is disheartening to witness such systemic discrimination and victimization within an institution that should be dedicated to promoting fairness and equal opportunities.”