The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has defended the dismissal of Mr. Yisa Usman, a deputy director at the board, insisting that the board adhered to due process.
Dr. Abdulwahab Oyedokun, Director of Legal Services for JAMB who testified before the National Industrial Court on Monday defended the board’s decision while being cross-examined by Usman’s counsel, Mallam Mohammed Shuaibu, in a suit filed against JAMB over the alleged unlawful dismissal of his client.
Usman has instituted a ₦150 million lawsuit against JAMB, under case number NICN/ABJ/266/2023, challenging his dismissal.
The claimant argues that the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee, which recommended his dismissal, was improperly constituted and failed to comply with Article 3.5.4 of JAMB’s Staff Manual and Conditions of Service. He contends that his right to a fair hearing was compromised, as the committee’s composition did not align with public service regulations.
Usman urged the court to declare his dismissal unlawful, null, and void, citing the board’s failure to consider the disciplinary committee’s report before terminating his employment. He also alleged that the committee was largely composed of the JAMB registrar and other directors, whom he had previously accused of misconduct within the organisation.
He is seeking an order for his reinstatement, with full entitlements and benefits, as well as compensation for lost earnings.
During the proceedings, JAMB’s counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, led Oyedokun as the sole defence witness. Owonikoko submitted a witness statement on oath, dated 11 March 2024, as evidence. Additionally, he sought to tender 33 documents attached to the witness statement as exhibits.
While the claimant’s counsel did not oppose the admission of the documents, he reserved the right to contest their contents in his final written address. The judge admitted the documents into evidence, marking them as Exhibits D-1 to D-33.
Oyedokun referred to the certified documents, which detailed the timeline of JAMB’s investigation into Usman. These included the disciplinary committee’s report, the Federal Ministry of Education’s approval of the dismissal, and clearance letters from various government agencies that had investigated Usman’s allegations against the registrar and JAMB.
Other documents presented in court included reports from the Bureau of Public Procurement, queries issued to Usman, his responses, allegations of his refusal to surrender an official password, and the conclusion of the board’s investigations. Additionally, the defence submitted the Federal High Court’s six-count charge against Usman, an invitation letter from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and various emails and official correspondences related to the case.
During cross-examination, Shuaibu questioned Oyedokun on the JAMB Staff Manual’s provisions. He pointed out that, under Chapter 9 of the manual, a disciplinary committee handling a case involving a deputy director should include all JAMB directors. While Oyedokun agreed with the principle of equitable representation, he argued that an approved circular from the governing board superseded the manual’s provisions.
He asserted that JAMB management had the authority to constitute disciplinary committees and that the power to discipline or dismiss staff was vested in the board by its establishing Act. He denied that Usman’s dismissal was conducted in bad faith or in violation of due process.
Shuaibu further pressed Oyedokun on whether Usman’s infractions were referred to his head of department before disciplinary action was taken, to which Oyedokun affirmed. When asked about the Federal Civil Service Commission’s (FCSC) authority over dismissals, Oyedokun clarified that the FCSC’s jurisdiction applied only to core ministries, while parastatals such as JAMB were governed by their respective establishment Acts.
In response to Shuaibu’s assertion that the Federal Ministry of Education lacked the authority to sanction Usman’s dismissal, Oyedokun disagreed, maintaining that the ministry acted within its powers.
Shuaibu also challenged the presence of two representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education on the disciplinary committee. Oyedokun defended their inclusion, stating that they represented JAMB’s supervising ministry.
To ensure a fair hearing, Oyedokun noted that JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Director of Finance and Accounts, and Mabel Agbebaku recused themselves from the committee due to Usman’s allegations against them.
Following Oyedokun’s testimony, Owonikoko announced the closure of JAMB’s defence.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae adjourned the matter until 28 May 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses by the parties.
