Alleged N62M Extortion: Reps Committee Denies JAMB Allegations
- The House of Representatives committee has denied allegations that it extorted money from JAMB or other examination bodies
- The committee explained that all funds paid by JAMB for the oversight assignment were refunded in full
- JAMB initially transferred N62.7 million to the committee on October 8 to cover logistics for an inspection of its underage examination programme in Abuja, Lagos and Owerri
The House of Representatives committee on basic examination bodies has said it returned all the money the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had given it for an oversight visit, denying claims that it demanded funds from examination agencies.
Records indicate the committee did not force any examination body to surrender part of its internally generated revenue (IGR). The investigation, launched in March, focused on a technical issue that affected the 2025 UTME results.
Source: Twitter
The motion that triggered the investigation was sponsored by Adewale Adebayo, a lawmaker from Osun state, and classified as a matter of urgent public importance.
As part of its probe, the committee asked JAMB to provide documents detailing its budgets and internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2023, 2024, and 2025, along with records of revenue generation, budget implementation, remittances to the federation account, and relevant bank statements.
JAMB did not submit the required documents within the set timeframe. The committee then reached out to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to obtain the board’s financial records and remittance information.
JAMB arranged logistics for the committee to inspect its underage examination programme at three centres, but only the Abuja centre was visited due to the committee’s busy schedule. The board transferred N62.7 million for the exercise, and N43 million was later refunded on November 11.
The visit was covered by national media, including AIT and Arise Television.
Source: Twitter
On October 29, a delegation from JAMB, led by director Mufutau Bello, appeared before the committee on behalf of Registrar Ishaq Oloyede. The officials left the session after lawmakers refused their request for a private meeting. Registrar Oloyede later appeared on November 16, offered an apology for the earlier incident, and handed over the documents the committee had requested.
Afterward, JAMB returned the funds to the committee on November 17, while the probe was still ongoing. The committee refunded the money again on November 19, stating it could not keep funds for activities that were not completed.
Committee denies claims of extorting exam bodies
After the refunds, some reports alleged that the committee demanded money from exam bodies, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS. It was also claimed that the chairman hired consultants to review accounts and replaced one who allegedly defended the JAMB registrar with another to pursue officials who did not cooperate.
A committee member, however, denied the allegations, noting that the refund records clearly showed that the panel neither requested nor kept any funds improperly.
The committee emphasised that if there had been any intent to extort or misappropriate funds, the money would not have been refunded—especially not twice. The transactions were conducted through traceable bank transfers, not cash payments, showing transparency in handling the funds.
The records also contradict claims that the N62.7 million provided for the oversight exercise was part of any extortion. So far, no consultant has raised any complaint with the National Assembly or anti-corruption agencies about coercion or improper conduct. Amos Dangut, head of WAEC’s Nigeria office, also denied that the committee ever demanded money from the examination body.
Reps Committee summons discos over N100bn debt
Legit.ng reported that the House of Representatives called on the IBEDC, BEDC and PHEDC over more than N100 billion allegedly owed to the federal government, giving them 72 hours to appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
The summons was part of a broader probe into N2.6 trillion in unremitted revenues by electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
Reps allege altered tax laws version
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a member of the House of Representatives warned that the tax laws recently gazetted and released to the public differ from the versions lawmakers debated, voted on, and approved.
Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki said he compared the gazetted copies with official records and found inconsistencies, describing the situation as a serious breach of the Constitution and legislative procedure.
He urged Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to present all relevant documents to the Committee of the Whole for review, while the Speaker acknowledged the concerns and pledged to take action.
Reps intervene in Dangote–NMDPRA dispute
In another development, Legit.ng reported that the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has intervened in the escalating face‑off between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aiming to calm tensions in the downstream sector. Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
Lawmakers summoned Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA leadership to explain allegations and counter‑claims on import licences, refining capacity and sector regulation, and urged both sides to halt public media exchanges. Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
The committee said its probe into the dispute — including issues around import licences and domestic refining capability — would be concluded in days, stressing the need for stability and constructive dialogue in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Source: Legit.ng
