There was mild drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday when representatives of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout during a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies.
The session, which was meant to review JAMB’s operations and financial records, took an unexpected turn following the absence of JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who sent Director Mufutau Bello to represent him.
Tension erupted when Bello requested that journalists vacate the meeting room, claiming the documents he intended to present contained sensitive information.
However, members of the Committee refused the request, maintaining that its sittings were public proceedings and that it was constitutionally empowered to determine how its sessions were conducted.
In a sudden twist, Bello became visibly agitated, instructed his team to pack up their documents, and walked out of the meeting, leaving lawmakers visibly shocked.
Angered by the action, the Committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but the team had already left the National Assembly complex.
The Committee has now summoned the JAMB Registrar to appear in person alongside his full management team on or before Tuesday next week to present all requested documents.
Lawmakers warned that failure to comply could lead to the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the JAMB chief.
