Commotion as JAMB officials walk out of House committee meeting amid budget performance review

A mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly on Wednesday as officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout during a session of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies.

The Committee, led by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had convened to examine JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, including its remittances to the Federation Account and detailed bank statements.

The Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, was expected to appear in person but instead sent a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.

Tension arose when Bello insisted that journalists vacate the room, claiming the documents he was to present contained sensitive information.

The Committee refused, maintaining that its proceedings were public and constitutionally empowered to determine how its sittings were conducted.

In a shocking twist, the JAMB representative became visibly agitated, ordered his team to leave, and walked out of the session leaving lawmakers stunned.

Angered by the action, the Committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already left the premises.

Describing the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Chairman Hon. Oforji warned that the legislature would not tolerate acts of disrespect or attempts to undermine its oversight authority.

“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar requesting these documents. Instead of appearing, he sent a former Director who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said.

He emphasized that the Committee’s mandate was to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds—not to witch-hunt any agency.

“Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians,” he added.

The Committee has now given JAMB till Tuesday for the Registrar to appear in person with his management team and present all requested documents.

“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 meeting, Members of the Committee condemned JAMB’s action, describing it as a contempt of Parliament and a slap on democratic accountability.

Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante said JAMB’s walkout signaled a dangerous disregard for legislative authority.

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

Abiante hinted at possible financial irregularities, recalling previous controversies involving missing public funds.

“We’ve heard stories where money was swallowed by snakes. Maybe this time, a bigger creature has done the swallowing,” he said wryly.

Hon. Rodney Amboiowei faulted the agency’s attempt to bar the press, insisting that public funds must be publicly accounted for.

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

Also speaking, Hon. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake expressed shock that the person who led the delegation was not even the Registrar.

“We don’t know who this man is. He refused to identify himself. For all we know, he could have been impersonating. The Registrar must appear by Tuesday to explain what JAMB is doing with public funds,” she stated.

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