Monkey Business! Reps Stunned As JAMB Officials Insist On Secret Briefing Over Funds

There was mild drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday when representatives of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies during an investigative hearing.

The session, led by the committee chairman, Hon. Oboku Oforji, was organised to review JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, remittances to the Federation Account, and related financial records.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had been invited to appear in person but instead sent a director, Mr. Muftar Bello, to represent him.

Tension began when Bello requested that journalists leave the room, claiming that the documents he brought contained “sensitive information.” However, the committee rejected the request, stating that its proceedings were public and that it had the constitutional power to determine how its hearings were conducted.

The situation quickly escalated when the JAMB representative, appearing visibly upset, stood up and ordered his team to leave the venue. The committee members were left stunned as the officials walked out of the session.

Angered by the action, the committee chairman ordered the Clerk to summon the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB official, but he had already left the building.

Reacting, Hon. Oforji described the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” warning that the National Assembly would not tolerate disrespect or attempts to obstruct its oversight duties.

“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar of JAMB requesting these documents. To our surprise, the Registrar failed to appear and instead sent a former Director of Finance and Accounts, who claimed the committee was out to embarrass them. That is very unfortunate,” he said.

He further clarified that the committee’s mission was not to target any agency but to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

“Our responsibility is to make sure that all agencies under our watch are accountable to Nigerians. We have no intention whatsoever to witch-hunt anyone,” he added.

The committee has now ordered JAMB’s Registrar to appear in person with his management team by next Tuesday to present the required documents.

“Failure to do so will compel the committee to take necessary actions in line with the powers vested in us under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” the chairman warned.

Other lawmakers also expressed outrage over JAMB’s conduct, calling it a show of disrespect to the legislature and Nigerians.

Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante said the incident amounted to contempt of Parliament and described it as “most unfortunate.”

“If JAMB can walk out on a committee of the National Assembly, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians. Oversight is a constitutional duty. When an agency refuses to answer questions about public funds, Nigerians have every reason to suspect something is wrong,” Abiante said.

He added that JAMB’s attitude raised questions about the transparency of its financial activities, recalling past controversies over missing funds in public offices.

“We have heard of instances where snake or something swallowed money. So probably a bigger swallow may have happened, and they have not prepared themselves for the autopsy. It’s unfortunate. And if this is what we call democracy, I do not understand where we are headed,” he added.

Hon. Rodney Amboiowei from Bayelsa State also criticised JAMB’s attempt to hold the session privately, saying it went against the principles of openness in government.

“Public funds must be accounted for in the open. It is not JAMB’s right to dictate that a parliamentary session be held behind closed doors. This is how agencies get lawmakers into trouble. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he stated.

Similarly, Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake from Bayelsa expressed concern that the person who led JAMB’s delegation was not even the Registrar.

“It’s even more embarrassing that the man who walked out was not the Registrar. We don’t even know who he is. We simply asked them to introduce themselves and they refused. For all we know, he could have been impersonated. Nigerians want to know what JAMB is doing with their money. The Registrar must appear before this committee by Tuesday to explain,” she said.

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