JAMB officials walk out on House committee, reject open investigative hearing

A mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly yesterday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies during an investigative hearing. The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had convened to examine JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, implementation of Internally Generated […]

A mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly yesterday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies during an investigative hearing.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had convened to examine JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, implementation of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), and bank statements from 2023 to date.

According to the lawmakers, three separate letters were sent to JAMB on October 6, 17, and 23, 2025, requesting the presence of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the submission of relevant financial documents.

However, instead of appearing before the committee, Prof. Oloyede delegated a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.

Tension escalated when Bello asked journalists covering the hearing to vacate the room, claiming the documents he was to present contained sensitive information. The committee rejected his request, insisting that its proceedings were public and that it was constitutionally empowered to determine how its sessions were conducted.

In a surprising turn of events, Bello became visibly agitated, directed his team to leave, and abruptly walked out of the hearing, leaving lawmakers stunned.

Angered by the act, the committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already exited the National Assembly complex.

Describing the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Chairman Oforji warned that the House would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its oversight authority.

Oforji stressed that the committee’s role was to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. “Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians. This is not about witch-hunting,” he added.

The committee subsequently issued a fresh directive for the JAMB Registrar to appear in person with his management team and all requested documents by Tuesday next week. “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 heated session, members of the committee described JAMB’s conduct as a contempt of parliament and a direct affront to democratic accountability.

The session was later adjourned until next Tuesday, with a stern warning that any further disregard by JAMB would attract serious parliamentary sanctions.