JAMB staged a walk out on House Committee during budget investigation over media presence.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that here was mild drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout during an investigative hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had summoned JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to appear in person and present documents relating to the agency’s 2023–2024 budget performance, remittances to the Federation Account, and bank statements.
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However, instead of appearing, Prof. Oloyede sent a director, Mr. Muftar Bello, to represent him — a move that soon escalated into a heated confrontation.
Tense Session and Walkout
The trouble began when Bello requested that journalists and observers be excused from the session, claiming that the documents he was to present contained “sensitive information.”
The lawmakers, however, rejected the request, insisting that the proceedings must remain open to the public in line with the National Assembly’s transparency standards.
A visibly agitated Bello then abruptly stood up, directed his team to follow, and walked out of the session — leaving members of the committee stunned.
Lawmakers React Angrily
Furious over the incident, the committee chairman ordered the Clerk to summon the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB representative, but he had already left the premises.
Hon. Oforji condemned the action, describing it as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” stressing that no government agency is above legislative oversight.
“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar of JAMB requesting these documents. To our surprise, he failed to appear and instead sent a representative who accused us of trying to embarrass the agency. That is unacceptable,” Oforji said.
He emphasized that the committee’s goal was accountability, not witch-hunting, adding that JAMB’s refusal to cooperate undermines public trust.
The committee subsequently gave the JAMB Registrar until Tuesday next week to appear in person with his management team and present the requested financial documents — or face sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“An Affront on the National Assembly” – Lawmakers
Several lawmakers criticized JAMB’s conduct, describing it as a show of contempt for Parliament and a violation of democratic accountability.
Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Andoni/Opobo–Nkoro Federal Constituency) said the incident was “a dangerous precedent,” warning that no public institution should feel too powerful to answer to the legislature.
“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. “When an agency refuses to answer questions about public funds, something is wrong.”
Hon. Rodney Amboiowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) faulted JAMB’s request for a closed-door session, saying, “Public funds must be accounted for in the open. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent.”
Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake (Brass–Nembe Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) questioned the identity of the JAMB representative, describing his conduct as “embarrassing” and “unprofessional.”
“It’s even more embarrassing that the man who walked out was not the Registrar. For all we know, he could have been impersonating. The Registrar must appear by Tuesday to explain what JAMB is doing with public funds,” she stated.
The incident has sparked concerns over transparency and inter-agency accountability, as JAMB faces renewed scrutiny over its financial operations.
