Tension as JAMB delegation walks out on Lawmakers in Abuja

By EricJames Ochigbo

Drama unfolded at the National Assembly on Wednesday when a delegation from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) stormed out of a House of Representatives hearing over the presence of journalists.

The delegation, led by Mr. Mufutau Bello, a director at JAMB, walked out of the session organised by the House Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies after insisting that the proceeding should be held behind closed doors.

The public hearing was convened to scrutinise JAMB’s 2023/2024 budget performance and revenue management. However, when the committee declined the request for a private session, Bello reportedly led his team out of the meeting in protest.

Addressing reporters after the incident, Committee Chairman, Oboku Oforji (PDP–Bayelsa), described the walkout as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” stressing that the National Assembly would not tolerate acts of disrespect or attempts to undermine its constitutional oversight powers.

Oforji revealed that the committee had sent three letters to JAMB’s Registrar requesting detailed documents on budget performance, account statements, and remittances, but the registrar failed to appear, sending a representative instead.

“Our duty is to ensure that every agency under our jurisdiction is accountable to Nigerians. The committee has now given the JAMB Registrar seven days to appear in person with his management team and present all requested documents,” Oforji said.

He warned that failure to comply would compel the committee to invoke its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Also reacting, Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP–Rivers) described the walkout as a “blatant show of disregard for legislative authority,” noting that JAMB’s attitude signalled a worrying trend of agencies resisting oversight.

“If JAMB could 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,” Abiante said.

Another committee member, Rodney Ambaiowei (PDP–Bayelsa), criticised the attempt to bar the media, stressing that transparency demands public accountability.

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

The committee has rescheduled the hearing for Tuesday, giving the JAMB Registrar a final deadline to appear before the lawmakers.