By Mercy Gadia Adi
There was tension at the National Assembly on Wednesday after officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies during an oversight hearing.
The committee had summoned JAMB to defend its 2023 budget performance and present financial documents detailing its remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and related bank statements.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Obuku Oforji, said the panel had written three separate letters dated October 6, 17, and 23, requesting the presence of JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the submission of key documents.
Instead, JAMB sent a representative, Mr. Mufutau Bello, a director from the registrar’s office. Bello reportedly asked journalists to exit the hearing room, claiming that the documents he intended to present contained “classified information.”
The committee refused the request, insisting that the proceedings must remain open to the press in line with its transparency obligations.
Angered by the refusal, Bello led other JAMB officials out of the session, a move that infuriated lawmakers. Oforji immediately directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the officials, but they had already left the premises.
Describing the action as a “serious affront” to the legislature, Oforji said:
“We wrote three consecutive letters to the registrar requesting these documents. Instead of appearing, he sent a 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.”
Another member of the committee, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, condemned the incident, saying the National Assembly would not tolerate agencies that undermine oversight.
“If JAMB can walk out on a committee of the House, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians. Oversight is not a favour; it’s a constitutional duty,” he said, adding sarcastically, “We’ve heard of snakes swallowing money; maybe this time a bigger creature has done the swallowing.”
Hon. Rodney Amboiowei also faulted JAMB’s conduct, stressing that “no agency of government can dictate how parliament carries out its duties.”
Following the uproar, the committee adjourned the session to next Tuesday and ordered Prof. Oloyede to appear in person.
Oforji warned that the committee would invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution if the registrar fails to comply.
“We will not hesitate to issue a warrant of arrest should he disregard this summons,” he said.