Tension flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly walked out of an investigative hearing convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies. The session, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, was set up to scrutinize JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), and the board’s financial records from 2023 to date. Lawmakers said the committee had written to JAMB three times—on October 6, 17, and 23, 2025—demanding the appearance of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, along with relevant documents. But instead of showing up in person, Oloyede sent a director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him. Trouble began when Bello asked journalists covering the hearing to leave, arguing that the financial documents contained sensitive details. The committee rejected the request, insisting that the hearing was a public session and that it alone could decide the manner of its proceedings. The situation quickly escalated when Bello became visibly upset, ordered his team to pack up, and walked out of the session in protest—leaving lawmakers stunned. Furious over the walkout, the committee directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already left the premises. Calling the incident “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Oforji warned that the House would not tolerate attempts by any agency to undermine its constitutional authority. “Our duty is to ensure that every institution under our oversight remains transparent and accountable to Nigerians. This is not about witch-hunting,” he said. The committee has now summoned Prof. Oloyede to appear personally with his management team and all required documents by Tuesday next week. Oforji warned that failure to comply would compel the House to invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Speaking after the rowdy session, committee members described JAMB’s action as a contempt of parliament and a direct challenge to democratic oversight. The hearing was adjourned until next Tuesday, with a final warning that any further defiance by the examination body would attract strict parliamentary sanctions.
