House Of Reps Summons JAMB Registrar Oloyede After Officials Staged Walkout During Budget Probe
House Of Reps Summons JAMB Registrar Oloyede After Officials Staged Walkout During Budget Probe
The hearing turned confrontational when Bello reportedly demanded that accredited journalists leave the room, arguing that the documents to be discussed contained “sensitive financial information.”
The House of Representatives has summoned the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, after officials of the examination body walked out of a budget probe hearing convened by the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.
The House Committee, chaired by Bayelsa lawmaker Oboku Oforji, had invited JAMB officials to explain its 2023–2024 budget performance, internally generated revenue remittances, and other financial operations, including bank statements and evidence of transfers to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
According to parliamentary records, JAMB was formally invited in three separate letters dated October 6, 17, and 23, 2025, requesting the personal appearance of the Registrar and the submission of the relevant financial documents.
However, instead of attending in person, Oloyede sent a Director of the Board, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.
The hearing turned confrontational when Bello reportedly demanded that accredited journalists leave the room, arguing that the documents to be discussed contained “sensitive financial information.”
But the lawmakers rejected the request, insisting that the session was a public hearing and that only the Committee had the authority to determine the proceedings.
As tensions escalated, Bello ordered his team to walk out of the meeting, leaving the lawmakers stunned.
The Committee immediately directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to detain the JAMB officials, but they had already left the premises.
Describing the walkout as “unacceptable and disrespectful,” the Committee Chairman Oforji condemned JAMB’s conduct and reaffirmed the Committee’s constitutional oversight mandate.
“We sent three formal requests to the Registrar. Instead of complying, he sent a representative who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is unfortunate and cannot be tolerated,” Oforji said.
The Committee subsequently summoned Prof. Oloyede to appear in person on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, along with his management team and all requested financial documents.
The lawmakers warned that failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Several members of the Committee condemned the exam body’s action, describing it as a disregard for parliamentary authority and a breach of accountability.
One of the lawmakers, Abiante, criticised the walkout by the JAMB officials, saying it reflected a worrying culture of impunity among public agencies.
“Oversight is not a favour; it is a constitutional responsibility. If JAMB can ignore the National Assembly, it raises serious concerns about how public funds are managed,” he said.
Rodney Ambaiowei also faulted the agency’s attempt to exclude the press, stressing that transparency is essential in public governance.
“No agency can dictate how parliament operates. Transparency is not optional when it comes to public resources,” he declared, according to PUNCH.
Similarly, Rivers lawmaker Marie Ebikake expressed dismay at the Registrar’s absence, noting that the identity of the representative was unclear.
“We do not even know who led the delegation. The Registrar must appear on Tuesday to clarify JAMB’s management of public funds,” she said.
The Committee adjourned the session until Tuesday, November 4, 2025, warning that any further defiance by JAMB would attract strict parliamentary sanctions.
