A former Minister of Education, Obi Ezekwesili, has called for proper investigation into the controversy surrounding the JAMB result of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who was accused of forging her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test scores.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also barred the candidate from Anambra State from participating in the academic examination for the next three years over the allegation.
While reacting to the development, the former minister, in a post on her verified Twitter handle, demanded for an independent probe to establish the facts of the matter.
She said: “This saga between Mmesoma Ejikeme and @JAMBHQ requires an Independent Tech investigation to unearth all facts,” she wrote.
“Listening to her in this video, it is reasonable to request a forensic investigation to help reveal what really happened. I have reached out to the Registrar of JAMB. An independent investigation would turn this curious episode into a Learning Opportunity for @JAMBHQ and everyone, especially students.
“I frankly see no downsides in asking a team of Independent Technology folks to investigate and publicly share their findings. Let’s do it”.
Meanwhile, the examination body said the case has been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for thorough investigations.
The spokesman of JAMB, Mr Fabian Benjamin stated that the body is ready for an open public engagement involving the candidate, parents or guardians, and her legal team, as well as relevant anti-corruption and human rights agencies of the government.
“In the face of incontrovertible facts in an open investigation observed by several national public institutions including the Public Complaints Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, Servicom and media houses, the candidate and the lawyer apologised,” Mr Benjamin said in a statement.