…Lawmakers issue Tue deadline, threaten constitutional sanctions

BY JOY ODOR

A dramatic scene played out at the National Assembly on Wednesday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies after refusing to conduct their budget defence in the presence of journalists.

The confrontation forced the Committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, to summon JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to appear in person by Tuesday, November 4, or face sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawmakers had invited JAMB to defend its 2023–2024 budget performance, internally generated revenue, and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), as well as to produce bank statements for 2023. 

They noted that three previous letters sent to the agency on October 6, 17, and 23 had gone unanswered.

Instead of appearing before the Committee, Oloyede sent a director, Mr. Mufutau Bello, to represent him, a move that drew protests from members. Tensions escalated when Bello asked that journalists be excused from the meeting, claiming that his presentation contained “sensitive information.”

Lawmakers rejected the request, insisting that parliamentary proceedings were public and constitutionally protected. In response, the JAMB team abruptly left the session, an act the Committee described as “an affront to the authority of Parliament.”

The Committee’s attempt to arrest the delegation was unsuccessful, as they had already exited the National Assembly complex.

“We wrote three letters requesting these documents, but instead of honouring our invitation, the Registrar sent someone who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said, describing the action as contemptuous.

He stressed that the Committee’s oversight was not a witch-hunt but a constitutional responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability.

Other lawmakers across party lines condemned JAMB’s conduct. Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante said the walkout reflected a growing culture of impunity among public agencies.

“If JAMB can walk out on a National Assembly Committee, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians,” Abiante said. “Oversight is not a favour; it’s a constitutional duty.”

Taking a swipe at past financial controversies, he added wryly: “We’ve heard stories where money was swallowed by snakes. Maybe this time, a bigger creature has done the swallowing.”

Hon. Rodney Amboiowei faulted JAMB’s attempt to exclude the media, insisting that transparency demands public scrutiny.

“No agency has the right to dictate how Parliament conducts its business,” he said. “Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent.”

Similarly, Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake questioned the identity of the JAMB representative, saying he failed to properly identify himself.

“For all we know, he could have been impersonated. The Registrar must appear by Tuesday to explain how JAMB manages public funds,” she added.

The Committee adjourned proceedings till Tuesday, warning that any further act of defiance would attract the full weight of parliamentary sanctions.