NEWS
‘I Won’t Back Down On Exposing Corruption On JAMB,’ Ex-Official Tells Court
The dismissed Deputy Director of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr. Yisa Usman, has alleged widespread corruption within the board, vowing to expose the irregularities despite alleged threats and intimidation against him.
Usman, who is challenging his dismissal in the National Industrial Court, Abuja, disclosed this during cross-examination before Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae.
Representing himself as the sole witness in his case, Usman insisted that his termination was a retaliatory move by JAMB’s leadership due to his efforts to expose alleged financial infractions.
READ ALSO: CSR: Dangote Awards Scholarships To 473 Students
Under questioning from JAMB’s counsel, A. A. Owonikoko, Usman admitted to writing numerous petitions to various government agencies, including the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
These petitions, he said, highlighted corruption and abuse of authority within the board under the leadership of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
In one of his written communications, dated May 18, 2023, and read aloud in court, Usman stated:
“This new development only renews my determination to continue with my quest for justice and my fight against the corrupt practices that have characterised our organisation in the past six to seven years, which I stated in the letter, are perpetrated under the cover of the remittances made to the government.”
Usman also criticized the composition of JAMB’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee, claiming its members were beneficiaries of the corruption he reported and, therefore, compromised.
While admitting that he received queries and an invitation to appear before the committee, Usman maintained that his refusal to attend was based on concerns over fairness.
“I was not certain of getting a fair hearing,” he told the court.
Usman further denied the allegation that he refused to cooperate with the committee, stating that his letter dated May 17, 2023, was a protest against its constitution.
He argued that the registrar and Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) were complicit in the issues he raised.
The dismissal letter, which Usman read in court, stated: “This is the sequel to the recommendation of the Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee after due consideration of your written responses to the allegations of serious misconduct levelled against you. And also after taking cognisance of your letter of 17th May 2023, wherein you state never to appear before the Board staff disciplinary committee despite the formal letter of invitation requesting you to appear.”
Usman denied ever making such a statement, asserting that his concerns centered on the legitimacy of the committee’s composition.
In his testimony, Usman alleged that he had faced threats and harassment since he began exposing corruption at JAMB. He also accused the registrar, Prof. Oloyede, and the DFA, Mr. Mufutau Bello, of being responsible for his ordeal.
“If anything happens to me, the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and his DFA, Mr. Mufutau Bello, should be held responsible,” he stated.
Usman said he had reported these threats to both the DSS and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The former deputy director accused the DFA of illegally occupying his position beyond the retirement period and alleged that financial audits conducted under the current administration were part of efforts to cover up irregularities.
Owonikoko, however, countered these claims, stating that the registrar and DFA had recused themselves from the disciplinary process to ensure impartiality—an assertion Usman said he was unaware of.
Usman has filed a N150 million lawsuit against JAMB, seeking:.A declaration that his dismissal was unlawful and unconstitutional.
An order reinstating him to his position with full benefits and entitlements.
Compensation for salaries and allowances withheld during his dismissal.
The court admitted several exhibits presented by Usman’s counsel, Mohammed Shuaibu, including documents and statements.
The judge adjourned the case to February 27, 2025, for JAMB to present its defense.
Usman’s case, marked NICN/ABJ/266/2023, is seen as a significant test of whistleblower protection laws and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Despite the legal battles, Usman remains resolute in his stance, declaring,
“The fight against corruption is the responsibility of every Nigerian. The law will take its course, no matter how long it takes.”
The wife of a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice is back to Nigeria, after being released from prison in the United Kingdom (UK).
Biztellers reliably gathered that Beatrice landed in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday.
ALSO READ: How Trump Plans To Grow American Economy By $1 Trillion Daily
Her return is being greeted with jubilation across Enugu State, particularly the Mpu community of Aninri Local Government Area, with the Ekweremadus country home bubbling.
Recall that Beatrice, her husband, Ike and one Dr Obinna Obeta were sentenced to various terms by a UK court over their involvement in organ harvesting.
While the former Deputy Senate President bagged a 10-year-jailterm, his wife was given a six-year sentence
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has commenced a three-day warning strike, citing unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unresolved demands.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, has disrupted operations across government hospitals in Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, and Nyanya.
Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, announced the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Tinubu Urges Stakeholders To Join Forces To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland
He revealed that the industrial action followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued last year.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands and dialogued with them on several occasions,” Dr. Ebong said.
“They pleaded for two weeks to address our issues, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done—not even the minimum. We expected them to pay the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.”
Dr. Ebong criticized the neglect of healthcare workers in the nation’s capital, describing doctors as “abandoned projects.”
He appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and avert a prolonged shutdown of hospital services.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister. After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike,” he warned.
The strike is the culmination of mounting frustrations among doctors over what they describe as poor welfare and neglect by the government.
ARD FCTA had previously warned in December 2024 of an impending shutdown if their demands were not met.
While the political hostilities between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike dominated thoughts on the meeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held with leaders of Rivers, the official focus was on achieving sustainable development.
Biztellers reports that once it filtered into public space that the people of Rivers were going to meet with President Tinubu, with estranged godson and godfather inclusive, public attention was on the political acrimony, but reports from the meeting have proven otherwise.
From a statehouse statement on the meeting in Abuja on Tuesday evening under the signature of the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, it was gathered that the focus was on restarting oil production in Ogoniland.
For this purpose, relevant stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu were charged to work together to harmonise positions for peace, justice and sustainable development.
President Tinubu assured the leaders of Ogoniland that the injuries afflicted on them by the supreme sacrifice paid by some of their prominent sons had not been forgotten.
ALSO READ: How Trump Plans To Grow American Economy By $1 Trillion Daily
He made it clear that he already had plans to immortalise them, but that oil production must restart first.
The statement came under the subject, ‘President Tinubu Pledges Peace, Justice, Development in Ogoniland”.
It reads thus: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured Ogoni leaders on Tuesday in Abuja that his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area.
“At a meeting at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu passionately called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.
“We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” he said.
“President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations as he called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.
“The President commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and emphasised the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region.
“We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” President Tinubu said.
“He asked ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.
“It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland.
“It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as President, but we thank God.
“Many of your sons present here were my friends and co-travellers in the streets of Nigeria, Europe, and America.
“I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain,” the President said.
“Governor Fubara thanked the President for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa.
“He said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the President gave him through the National Security Adviser.
Emphasising the importance of resuming oil operations in Ogoniland, the governor pledged the delegation’s commitment to adhering to the President’s instructions and providing the necessary support to achieve the government’s objectives.
“What we are doing here today is to concretise the love and respect we have for the President for being behind this meeting and for him to tell us to go back and continue the consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland will commence,” he said.
“The National Security Adviser commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions.
“Guided by Mr. President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation,” Mallam Ribadu said.
“He noted that the over 50-member delegation that met with the President reflected the rich diversity of Ogoni society, representing various constituencies, interests, and viewpoints.
“The presence of this delegation is a testament to the Ogoni people’s readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development,” he said.
“A representative of the Ogoni leadership, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, expressed the community leaders’ willingness to engage in the process of finding lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in Ogoniland.”
CBN Approves Release Of Nigerian FX Code
JUST IN: Ekweremadu’s Wife Back To Nigeria
Abuja Doctors Embark On Three-Day Warning Strike Over Unpaid Salaries
Tinubu Urges Stakeholders To Join Forces To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland
‘I Won’t Back Down On Exposing Corruption On JAMB,’ Ex-Official Tells Court
How Trump Plans To Grow American Economy By $1 Trillion Daily
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
