Drama as JAMB officials walk out on reps after rejecting open budget hearing

Tension flared at the national assembly complex on Wednesday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the house of representatives committee on basic education examination bodies.

The committee held the meeting to look over JAMB’s budget, check how it has used its own money, confirm payments to the consolidated revenue fund, and review its bank statements from 2023 until now.

During the session, Obuku Oforji, chairman of the committee, said the panel had written several letters to JAMB on October 6, 17, and 23, respectively, requesting the submission of specific documents and the personal appearance of Ishaq Oloyede, the registrar.

However, Mufutau Bello, a director in the registrar’s office, represented Oloyede at the hearing.

Bello later asked journalists to leave the room, arguing that the documents he intended to present contained sensitive information.

The committee declined the request, saying the hearing would not be held behind closed doors.

Displeased by the committee’s stance, Bello paraded his team and vacated the hearing room.

The committee chair ordered the sergeant-at-arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they left before he could do so.

Oforji condemned the action of the JAMB, describing it as unacceptable.

“We wrote three consecutive letters to the registrar requesting these documents; instead of appearing, he sent a director who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said.

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

Speaking with journalists after the incident, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the committee, said legislators would not tolerate unaccountability.

“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.

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

Rodney Amboiowei, another member of the committee, said no agency has the authority to dictate how parliament conducts its business.

“Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he said.

Subsequently, the committee adjourned the session to next Tuesday and directed the JAMB registrar to appear in person.

Oforji said that if the JAMB registrar fails to appear, an arrest warrant will be issued against him.

“Failure to do so will compel the committee to invoke its powers under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 constitution,” he said.