UTME: JAMB Will Prosecute Offenders Of Admissions Process – Oloyede

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Monday, disclosed that it will join hands with security operatives to prosecute any offenders of the admission process.

The board disclosed this in its latest Weekly Bulletin made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

JAMB further stated that henceforth, it would prosecute anyone found wanting or institution once a case has been established against them.

The board added that its decision is part of its resolution after the management meeting on the imperative of ridding the admissions process of unwholesome practices.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated that the decisions were put in place to curb admission infractions.

He said that although the Central Admissions Process System had made the admission process transparent, fair and equitable, some stakeholders are working hard to circumvent the system.

“The board, with zero tolerance for corrupt acts, will not fold its arms and allow unscrupulous elements to drag it back.”

“For the gains of CAPS’ initiative not to be eroded and to ensure that there are consequences for flouting government’s directive on complying with the process, the board has concluded all arrangements with relevant security agencies.”

“These agencies are ready to prosecute any stakeholder, candidate or admissions officers found wanting,’’ Oloyede was quoted as saying.”

Oloyede noted that one of the admission infractions observed, especially being committed by institutions, included the total jettisoning of CAPS.

He added that others include high-coercing of candidates to opt for other programmes, to give room for their favoured but low-scoring candidates and also offline admissions.

The registrar described the acts as criminal, wicked and unacceptable, adding that those found aiding and abetting admissions irregularities would be prosecuted.

“There should be no debate about merit.”

“Merit is merit and it is not negotiable; high-scoring candidates ought to be admitted first.”

In a similar development, the board management said it had taken a holistic view of all outstanding processes to ensure the quick conclusion of the 2020 admissions.

It stated that CAPS had since been activated for private institutions, given their peculiarities, while the public institutions were mandated to follow suit.

An official date for the sale of the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry forms would soon be announced, the board stated.