In a recent development, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused Mmesoma Ejikeme, a 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate, of forging her results. However, the House of Representatives has stepped in to investigate the matter, expressing concerns over JAMB’s handling of the situation involving a minor.
Mmesoma Ejikeme, a 19-year-old candidate, maintains that her “results notification” slip, displaying a score of 362 out of 400, was obtained directly from the JAMB results portal. The board, on the other hand, claims that she is presenting a forged result on a template that was discontinued in 2021.
In response to the allegations, the House of Representatives has established an adhoc committee to thoroughly investigate the matter. They have also called on JAMB to refrain from taking any further action until the investigation is completed. The lawmakers expressed worry that the young girl may have been manipulated by an adult, prompting the need for a comprehensive examination of the circumstances.
The controversy unfolded when Mmesoma Ejikeme released a viral video recounting her shock at hearing accusations of result forgery. In the video, she asserts that she printed the result directly from the JAMB portal and vehemently denies any involvement in forgery. The subsequent ban on her by JAMB, along with the withdrawal of her result, has drawn condemnation from various quarters.
Notably, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has questioned the basis on which JAMB concluded that Ejikeme forged her result. They argue that the board lacks the constitutional authority to tarnish her reputation without conclusive evidence. HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasized the need to protect the rights and image of the accused candidate.
This incident bears resemblance to a previous case involving Ifesinachi John, a UTME candidate in 2021. John claimed to have scored 380 in the examination, but the official result checker consistently displayed a score of 265. Alleging result manipulation, John and his father filed a petition demanding damages and a retake of the test. Eventually, it was discovered that John had mistakenly saved his sister’s phone number, which triggered the automatic UTME result message. Subsequently, JAMB handed him over to the police for investigation.
As opinions diverge on Mmesoma Ejikeme’s case, with some believing she forged her result and advocating for punishment, others contend that JAMB bears responsibility for any errors. The outcome of the House of Representatives’ investigation will shed light on the truth and determine the appropriate course of action, thus ensuring fairness and justice in this contentious matter.
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