Anger as JAMB officials walk out on Reps panel

From Ndubuisi Orj, Abuja

Officials of the the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB), yesterday, walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies, at an investigative hearing because of the presence of journalists.

The panel had invited JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to give a report on the agency’s  2023–2024 budget performance, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) implementation,  as well as provide evidence of remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

However, the JAMB boss, represented by Mufutau Bello, and other officials, objected to the presence of journalists describing it as a ploy to embarrass them. “There are sensitive information that we don’t require the presence of press men. Kindly give us the benefit of doubt that they should excuse us, please, “ JAMB boss told the panel

Nonetheless, a member of the committee, Rodney Amboiowei, in his intervention, said it was not in the place of the examination body to dictate for lawmakers, noting that “JAMB, you don’t have that right. You don’t dictate for us when you  are here.”

The JAMB officials got up and left the hearing room, with lawmakers calling on the committee chairman, Oboku Oforji, to direct the Sergeant at Arms to arrest them.

Oforji described the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable” stating that the parliament would not  tolerate acts of disrespect or attempts to undermine its oversight authority.

“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar requesting these documents. Instead of appearing, he sent a former director who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is very unfortunate. Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians.”

He said  the panel will give the JAMB registrar  till Tuesday, next week, to appear in person before the Committee with   all requested documents. “Failure to do so, will compel the Committee to invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

A member of the committee, Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante, said JAMB’s walkout signaled a dangerous disregard for legislative authority.

“If JAMB can walk out on a National Assembly committee, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians. Oversight is not a favour, it’s a constitutional duty.”