There was tension at the National Assembly after JAMB officials walked out on lawmakers during a hearing.
The House committee accused the agency of disrespect and ordered the Registrar to appear within a week.
A tense scene unfolded at the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, when officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly walked out during an investigative hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had summoned JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to personally present documents relating to the board’s 2023–2024 budget performance, remittances to the Federation Account, and bank statements. However, Oloyede sent a representative, Mr. Muftar Bello, to stand in for him.
Drama began when Bello demanded that journalists leave the meeting, claiming the documents contained “sensitive information.” The committee rejected his request, insisting that the hearing was a public proceeding and that only Parliament could determine whether to hold a closed session.
The situation escalated when Bello suddenly stood up, instructed his team to follow him, and walked out of the hearing, leaving lawmakers visibly angered. The committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest him, but he had already left the premises.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Chairman Oforji accused JAMB of disrespecting the legislature’s oversight authority. He said the committee had written three letters to the Registrar requesting the documents, yet Oloyede failed to appear. “We are not here to witch-hunt anyone. Our duty is to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending,” he stated.
The committee gave the JAMB Registrar one week to appear in person with his management team or face sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to compel compliance.
Several lawmakers condemned the walkout as contempt of Parliament. Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante called it a “dangerous precedent,” while Hon. Rodney Amboiowei faulted JAMB’s demand for secrecy, saying, “Public funds must be accounted for openly.”
The committee reaffirmed that JAMB must appear next week or face constitutional consequences.
