JAMB…as chairman order registrar to appear by tuesday or face sanctions
By Gloria Ikibah
There was a brief but tense scene at the National Assembly on Wednesday when officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly left a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies.
The Committee, led by Rep. Oboku Oforji, had invited JAMB to discuss the agency’s 2023–2024 budget performance, the management of its Internally Generated Revenue, remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and bank statements covering the same period.
According to the Committee, three letters had been sent to JAMB on 6, 17, and 23 October 2025, requesting both the documents and the personal appearance of the Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
However, rather than attending in person, the Registrar delegated the responsibility to a Director, Mufutau Bello.
Tension arose when Bello asked that journalists leave the meeting room, as he argued that the documents contained confidential information.
But the lawmakers declined, explaining that committee proceedings are open to the public and that only Parliament has the authority to determine how such sessions are conducted.
What followed was unexpected, with the JAMB representative, visibly upset, ordered his team to withdraw and walked out of the hearing, leaving members of the Committee astonished.
He said: They want to embarrass us. You cannot embarrass us. Let us go, let us go”.
In response, the Committee instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to detain the officials, but they had already exited the building.
Rep. Oforji who described the walkout as regrettable and disrespectful, warned that the legislature would not condone any attempt to challenge its constitutional oversight powers.
“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,” Oforji said.
He emphasised that the Committee’s mandate was to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds—not to witch-hunt any agency.
“Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians,” he added.
The Committee directed that the Registrar appear in person with his management team and present all requested documents before it by Tuesday or face possible sanctions.
“Failure to do so,” Oforji warned, “will compel the Committee to invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
Speaking to Journalists after the meeting, Members of the Committee condemned JAMB’s action, describing it as a contempt of Parliament and a slap on democratic accountability.
Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante said JAMB’s walkout signaled a dangerous disregard for legislative authority. He hinted at possible financial irregularities, recalling previous controversies involving missing public funds.
“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.
“We’ve heard stories where money was swallowed by snakes. Maybe this time, a bigger creature has done the swallowing,” he said.
Rep. Rodney Amboiowei faulted the agency’s attempt to bar the press, insisting that public funds must be publicly accounted for.
“No agency has the right to dictate how Parliament conducts its business. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he said.
Also speaking, Rep. Marie Ebikake expressed shock that the person who led the delegation was not even the Registrar.
“We don’t know who this man is. He refused to identify himself. 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 Committee’s session was later adjourned till next Tuesday, with a stern warning that any further disregard by JAMB would attract serious parliamentary sanctions.
