Tension erupted at the National Assembly on Wednesday after officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies during an oversight session.
The committee, led by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had invited JAMB to defend its 2023–2024 budget performance, give details of its internally generated revenue, and present records of remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, including bank statements from 2023 to date.
Lawmakers said the agency had received three separate letters — on October 6, 17, and 23 — requesting the documents and the personal appearance of JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. However, instead of attending in person, the Registrar sent a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.
Tensions flared when Bello reportedly asked journalists to leave the meeting, insisting the documents were confidential. The lawmakers refused, saying the proceedings were public. In response, Bello instructed his team to leave the session, sparking outrage among the legislators. By the time the Committee directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring the officials back, they had already left the premises.
Describing the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Hon. Oforji said the National Assembly would not condone any act of disrespect or attempt to weaken its oversight powers. “We wrote three 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,” he said.
He emphasized that the Committee’s role was to uphold transparency and accountability, not to intimidate or target any agency. Oforji gave JAMB until Tuesday to appear before the Committee with all requested documents, warning that failure to comply would attract sanctions in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Speaking with reporters after the heated session, some lawmakers described JAMB’s conduct as a clear show of contempt for Parliament. Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante said the agency’s action reflected “a dangerous disregard for legislative authority,” adding that oversight was not a privilege but a constitutional responsibility.
Another member, Hon. Rodney Amboiowei, condemned the attempt to send journalists out of the room, stressing that “public funds must be publicly accounted for.”
Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake also raised concerns over the identity of the official who led JAMB’s delegation, saying, “We don’t even know who this man is. For all we know, he could have been impersonating. The Registrar must appear by Tuesday to explain how JAMB is managing public funds.”
The Committee adjourned its sitting till Tuesday, warning that any further act of defiance from the examination body would lead to serious parliamentary consequences.
Report gathered that the incident has stirred widespread debate among observers who view the standoff as a test of the National Assembly’s resolve to enforce accountability in government agencies.
