JAMB Officials Walk Out During Parliamentary Hearing
During a hearing held by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies, officials from the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout. The session, which focused on the 2023/2024 budget implementation, remittances to the Federation Account, and bank statements, was chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji.
The JAMB delegation, led by Mr. Mufutau Bello, who represented the Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, requested a closed-door session. However, this request was met with resistance from Hon. Rodney Ambalowei, a member of the committee representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State. He warned that the Director could not unilaterally decide the proceedings’ format.
Mr. Bello responded by stating that he had not been able to meet with the Chairman before the meeting. He also refused to introduce himself at the start of the session until the media left the room, arguing that the documents he intended to present contained “sensitive information.”
Despite the JAMB official’s concerns, the lawmakers emphasized that the committee’s proceedings were public. This disagreement led to tension, and Mr. Bello, visibly upset, instructed his team to follow him and left the meeting room.
Hon. Oforji, concerned about the incident, immediately directed the Committee Clerk to summon the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB representative, but it was too late—the official had already left the premises.
Committee Condemns JAMB’s Actions
Hon. Oforji described the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” vowing that the House would not tolerate disrespect or attempts to obstruct its oversight duties. He highlighted that the committee had sent three consecutive letters to the JAMB Registrar requesting the necessary documents. To their surprise, the Registrar did not appear, instead sending a former Director of Finance and Accounts, who claimed the committee aimed to embarrass them.
“We have no intention to witch-hunt any agency,” Oforji stated. “Our goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”
He further emphasized that the committee’s responsibility is to make sure all agencies under its watch are accountable to Nigerians. The committee has now given JAMB until next Tuesday for the Registrar to appear in person with his management team to present the requested documents.
Reactions from Committee Members
Other members of the committee expressed outrage over the incident, describing JAMB officials’ conduct as disrespectful to the National Assembly and the Nigerian people.
Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante called the walkout an act of contempt against Parliament. He questioned JAMB’s transparency, recalling past controversies involving missing public funds. “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.
Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake raised concerns about the identity of the JAMB official who led the delegation. She noted that the man who walked out was not the Registrar and questioned whether he might have been impersonated. “Nigerians want to know what JAMB is doing with their money,” she said, urging the Registrar to appear before the committee by Tuesday.
Calls for Transparency
Hon. Rodney Ambalowei opposed the request for a closed-door meeting, arguing that such a move contradicted the principles of openness expected of public institutions. “Public funds must be accounted for in the open,” he said. “It is not JAMB’s right to dictate that a parliamentary session be held behind closed doors.”
The committee remains firm in its stance, emphasizing that failure to comply with their request will compel them to take necessary actions in line with the powers vested in them under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about transparency and accountability in public institutions. With JAMB now facing pressure to explain its financial dealings, the outcome of this situation will likely set a precedent for how other government agencies respond to parliamentary oversight.
