A LEGAL scholar and alumnus of the University of Jos, Dr. John B. Mahwel, has come to the defence of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), amid sustained public criticisms from former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
In a detailed account made public, Mahwel, who is a member of the Faculty of Law’s 2009 graduating class dismissed allegations questioning Amupitan’s integrity, describing them as “false, misleading and unacceptable.”
The scholar, who holds multiple law degrees from the institution, including a PhD, said his intervention was necessary to “set the record straight,” citing his direct experience both as a student and later as a lecturer under Amupitan.
While acknowledging both Amupitan and Dalung as distinguished products of the Faculty of Law, Mahwel stressed that his position was based strictly on facts rather than sentiment or shared state origin.
Providing insight into his relationship with both men, Mahwel recalled being taught the Law of Evidence by Prof. Amupitan and subsequently working alongside him for over a decade. He described the INEC chairman as a mentor who supported his academic progression strictly on merit.
On Dalung, Mahwel recounted his time as a course coordinator known for a distinctive teaching style before venturing into politics and eventually serving as a federal minister.
Addressing the core of the controversy, Mahwel rejected claims that Amupitan was involved in any form of academic misconduct during the 2009 academic session. He explained that while issues relating to result manipulation did occur at the time, they were traced to administrative lapses involving non-academic staff.
According to him, it was under Amupitan’s leadership as Dean that the discrepancies were uncovered and corrected through an internal investigation. The process, he noted, led to the reversal of improperly awarded grades and, in some cases, delayed graduations for affected students.
He described the action as a “demonstration of institutional integrity” rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Mahwel also refuted claims that a serving Deputy Inspector General of Police graduated in the 2009 set with a disputed result, stating that, to his knowledge, no such individual existed in his class.
On allegations that Amupitan frustrated Dalung academically, Mahwel argued that the timeline did not support such claims, noting that Amupitan was not Dean at the time Dalung pursued his postgraduate studies. He further emphasized that academic decisions are typically taken collectively, thereby limiting the ability of any single official to victimise a student.
While expressing respect for both figures, Mahwel cautioned against the politicisation of sensitive institutional matters, particularly at a time of heightened political activity.
He urged public figures to exercise restraint in their public statements, warning that unverified claims could mislead citizens and undermine confidence in key national institutions.
Mahwel concluded by reaffirming that Prof. Amupitan’s record reflects integrity and professionalism, urging the public to rely on verifiable facts rather than politically charged narratives.