THERE was drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday after officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) stormed out of an investigative hearing, prompting the House of Representatives to order their arrest.
News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred during a session held by the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, convened to investigate issues surrounding accountability and operational practices in the examination body.
Matters escalated when JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who had been invited multiple times again failed to appear in person. Instead, he sent a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.
Soon after the session began, Bello requested that journalists be excused from the venue, insisting that “sensitive documents” would be presented and that media presence would jeopardize confidentiality.
However, committee members firmly rejected the request, making it clear that only the House reserves the authority to decide whether proceedings should be made public or closed.
The exchange became heated, and in a surprising turn, Bello and other JAMB officials abruptly stood up and walked out of the hearing.
The lawmakers reacted furiously, describing the walkout as an act of “gross disrespect and legislative contempt.”
Raising the matter at plenary, members of the House demanded immediate sanctions. The leadership then directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the officials but they had already exited the National Assembly complex before the enforcement could take place.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Obuku Oforji, condemned the conduct of the examination board: “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 highly unacceptable.”
He insisted that the Parliament has a constitutional mandate to ensure all government agencies remain transparent and accountable to Nigerians.
Lawmakers issued a fresh summon, directing Prof. Oloyede to appear in person along with his full management team next Tuesday.
They also warned that failure to comply could lead to a formal warrant of arrest against the JAMB boss.
Speaking after the incident, committee member Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante expressed outrage: “If JAMB can walk out on the House of Representatives, it means they no longer see themselves as answerable to the Nigerian people. Oversight is not optional, it is a constitutional obligation.”
“We have heard stories of snakes swallowing money. Maybe this time, an even bigger creature has done the swallowing.”
The development has sparked renewed scrutiny of JAMB’s internal operations amid concerns over transparency in Nigeria’s education assessment system.