There was a tense moment at the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 29, 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 investigative hearing.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had summoned JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede to appear in person to present documents related to the board’s 2023–2024 budget performance, remittances to the Federation Account, and bank statements. However, the Registrar sent a director, Mr. Muftar Bello, to represent him.
Drama unfolded shortly after the session began when Bello insisted that members of the press leave the room, claiming that the documents contained “sensitive information.” The committee rejected the request, insisting that the proceedings were public and that only Parliament had the constitutional power to determine the format of its sittings.
The exchange quickly escalated, and in an unexpected move, the JAMB representative stood up, directed his team to follow him, and walked out of the meeting — leaving lawmakers visibly shocked.
Angered by the action, the committee instructed the Clerk to summon the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB official, but he had already exited the premises.
Committee Chairman Hon. Oforji described the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” warning that the legislature would not tolerate any act of disrespect or obstruction of its oversight functions.
“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 we were out to embarrass them. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said.
He emphasized that the committee’s intention was not to target any agency but to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. “Our responsibility is to make sure all agencies under our watch are accountable to Nigerians. We have no intention whatsoever to witch-hunt anyone,” he added.
The committee issued a one-week ultimatum, directing the JAMB Registrar to appear in person with his management team by next Tuesday, warning that failure to do so would compel lawmakers to act under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to enforce compliance.
Other lawmakers condemned JAMB’s conduct, describing it as a blatant act of disrespect to Parliament and the Nigerian people.
Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Andoni/Opobo–Nkoro Federal Constituency) said the walkout amounted to contempt of Parliament and set a “dangerous precedent” for accountability in governance. “If JAMB can walk out on a committee of the National Assembly, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians,” he said.
Abiante recalled past controversies over missing public funds, adding, “We have heard of instances where snake or something swallowed money. Maybe a bigger swallow has happened, and they have not prepared themselves for the autopsy. It’s unfortunate.”
Hon. Rodney Amboiowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State) faulted JAMB’s demand for a closed-door session, saying it contradicted the principle of transparency expected of public institutions. “Public funds must be accounted for in the open. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake (Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) questioned the identity of the official who led JAMB’s delegation and expressed dismay that the Registrar failed to appear. “It’s embarrassing that the man who walked out was not even the Registrar. We don’t know who he is. Nigerians want to know what JAMB is doing with their money,” she said.
The committee reiterated its warning that JAMB must appear before Parliament next week to explain its financial operations or face constitutional sanctions.
