….Lawmakers Threaten Arrest, Demand Oloyede’s Appearance Over Missing Documents
There was palpable tension on Wednesday at the National Assembly when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly walked out on members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.
The drama unfolded after the committee demanded that the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, appear before it with some key documents relating to the board’s operations.
Oloyede, however, was absent and was represented by Mr. Mufutau Bello, a director in the board, who arrived at the complex with other JAMB officials.
Trouble started when Bello insisted that journalists should not be allowed into the session, claiming the documents contained “sensitive information.”
His position was immediately rejected by the lawmakers, who reminded him that committee proceedings are public and cannot be held behind closed doors without valid reasons.
Eyewitnesses said Bello, visibly angered by the committee’s insistence, ordered his team to leave the venue, sparking outrage among the legislators. The officials reportedly walked out, leaving members of the committee stunned.
The visibly infuriated lawmakers subsequently directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to apprehend the JAMB officials, but they had already left the premises before the order could be executed.
Reacting to the incident, the committee issued a one-week ultimatum to the JAMB Registrar to appear in person and submit all requested documents by Tuesday next week.
A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the conduct of the JAMB officials as “a gross display of disrespect to the parliament.”
“No agency of government has the authority to dictate how legislative proceedings are conducted. Their attitude was unbecoming of public servants,” the lawmaker fumed.
The committee warned that failure by the Registrar to honour the invitation could compel the House to issue a warrant of arrest against him.
As of press time, JAMB had yet to issue an official response to the incident.
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