Pandemonium erupted at the National Assembly on Tuesday as members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education issued an immediate arrest warrant for officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) following a dramatic walkout during a budget defense session.
Dramatic Walkout Sparks Constitutional Crisis
The tension-filled session reached boiling point when JAMB officials, led by their Director of Legal Services, abruptly walked out of the meeting while lawmakers were still conducting oversight proceedings. The officials claimed they needed to attend another meeting, a move committee members described as "a clear act of disrespect" to the legislative institution.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Obiageli Orogbu, expressed outrage at the development, stating that the officials' action constituted a direct affront to the constitutional powers of the National Assembly. "How can you walk out on a constituted authority while proceedings are ongoing? This is unacceptable," she declared.
Immediate Arrest Order Issued
In a swift response to the walkout drama, the committee issued an immediate order for the arrest of the JAMB officials involved. The lawmakers mandated the Sergeant-at-Arms to apprehend the officials and bring them before the committee to explain their actions.
The arrest order specifically targets:
- The JAMB Director of Legal Services
- Other senior officials who participated in the walkout
- Any official who showed disrespect to parliamentary procedures
Budget Defense in Jeopardy
The dramatic incident occurred during a critical budget defense session where JAMB was expected to present and justify its 2024 budget proposals. The walkout has now thrown the board's budget approval process into uncertainty, potentially affecting its operations in the coming fiscal year.
Lawmakers emphasized that the incident goes beyond personal disrespect, noting that it undermines the entire budget approval process and the legislature's oversight function. "This is not about us as individuals; it's about the institution of the National Assembly and its constitutional role," one committee member stated.
Constitutional Implications
Legal experts suggest that the standoff has significant constitutional implications. The National Assembly derives its powers to summon government agencies and officials from Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which grant oversight powers to the legislature.
The committee has vowed to ensure that the JAMB officials face the full consequences of their actions, setting a precedent for how government agencies should conduct themselves during legislative proceedings.
This developing story represents one of the most dramatic confrontations between the legislative and executive arms in recent times, highlighting ongoing tensions in Nigeria's governance structure.
