Mmesoma: Suspend any punitive action – Reps tells JAMB

 

The House of Representatives has resolved to wade into the alleged forgery of the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) result by Ejikeme Mmesoma.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday following a motion moved by Awaji-Inombek Abiante on the floor of the House.

It would be recalled that Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra State and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have been having a back and forth on a result.

Mmesoma had claimed to have scored 362, however, the examination body disputed the claim, stating that she scored 249, and accused her of forgery.

“The person in question does not have the opportunity to sit here with us to be heard. She may not also have the opportunity to convoke press conferences like JAMB is trying to do,” Abiante said in his lead debate.

Speaking on the motion, Idu Igaruwe, a member from Ebonyi State, faulted JAMB on how it handled the case, particularly the case of forgery.

“JAMB has alleged a very serious criminal offence of forgery. Forgery is a felony. And then JAMB at the same time is also investigating this allegation of forgery when there is supposed to be a presumption of innocence. Something is definitely wrong with that process,” he said.

Following the debate on the motion, the House resolved that JAMB should suspend taking any action until investigation is concluded.

The House also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter.