Tension erupted at the National Assembly complex on Wednesday after officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies during a budget review session.
The meeting was convened to scrutinize JAMB’s budget, verify payments to the consolidated revenue fund, and examine the agency’s bank statements from 2023 to date.
Committee chairman, Obuku Oforji, revealed that several letters were sent to JAMB on October 6, 17, and 23, requesting the submission of specific documents and the personal appearance of the registrar, Ishaq Oloyede. However, Mufutau Bello, a director representing Oloyede, appeared instead.
Midway through the session, Bello asked journalists to leave, citing the sensitivity of the documents he intended to present. The committee refused, insisting that the proceedings remain public.
In protest, Bello and his team walked out of the hearing room. Attempts by the sergeant-at-arms to arrest them were unsuccessful, as they had already left the premises.
Condemning their action, Oforji described JAMB’s conduct as “unacceptable,” adding that the committee’s role was to ensure accountability from all agencies under its supervision.
Committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticized JAMB’s behaviour, saying it showed “a lack of accountability to Nigerians,” while another lawmaker, Rodney Amboiowei, insisted that no agency had the authority to dictate how parliament conducts its oversight duties.
The committee has now adjourned the session to next Tuesday, directing the JAMB registrar to appear in person. Oforji warned that failure to do so would lead to an arrest warrant being issued under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.