ABUJA, Nigeria — A budget review session at the National Assembly turned tense on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on a House of Representatives committee, prompting threats of arrest and renewed debate over institutional accountability.
The House Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies had summoned JAMB to review its budget performance, remittances to the consolidated revenue fund, and bank statements from 2023 to date.
Committee members also sought the personal appearance of JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, after issuing letters on October 6, 17 and 23 requesting documents and his attendance.
Instead, Oloyede sent Mufutau Bello, a director in his office, to represent him.
During the session, Bello asked journalists to leave, arguing that the documents he intended to present contained sensitive information and should not be disclosed publicly.
Committee members refused, insisting the hearing must remain open. In response, Bello led his delegation out of the room.
A visibly frustrated committee chairman, Obuku Oforji, directed the sergeant-at-arms to arrest the officials, but they had already departed the premises.
“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 very unfortunate,” Oforji said.
“Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians.”
Speaking after the walkout, committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante warned that lawmakers would not tolerate defiance from government agencies.
“If JAMB can walk out on a National Assembly committee, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians,” he said.
“Oversight is not a favour; it’s a constitutional duty. We’ve heard stories where snakes swallowed money. Maybe this time, a bigger creature has done the swallowing.”
Another committee member, Rodney Amboiowei, echoed that stance.
“No agency has the authority to dictate how parliament conducts its business,” he said.
“Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent.”
Lawmakers later adjourned the session to next Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and issued a directive for Oloyede to appear in person.
Oforji warned that failure to comply would trigger constitutional sanctions.
“Failure to do so will compel the committee to invoke its powers under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution,” he said, referring to provisions that empower parliament to summon individuals and enforce attendance.
