In a dramatic courtroom confrontation, Mr. Yisa Usman, the former Deputy Director at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has vowed to bring corruption at the board to light. Usman, who was dismissed under controversial circumstances, made his bold claim during a court hearing in Abuja, where he is fighting what he calls an unlawful termination of his employment.
Testifying as the sole witness in his case against JAMB, Usman opened up about the threats and intimidation he faced after attempting to expose financial misconduct at the institution. “The fight against corruption and abuse of power is a responsibility that every Nigerian should undertake,” Usman told Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court. “No matter what they do, I will not back down. I will continue my quest for justice.”
Usman has been vocal in his accusations of corruption, having written multiple petitions to various government agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the National Assembly. His primary target has been the current JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, whom he accuses of overseeing widespread financial mismanagement.
During cross-examination by JAMB’s lawyer, A.A. Owonikoko, Usman admitted to filing complaints with several federal agencies, accusing the board’s management of financial misdeeds. “I reported the corruption to the DSS and the IGP, and if anything happens to me, the Registrar and his associates must be held responsible,” he declared, referring to threats he allegedly received after his disclosures.
Usman detailed the emails he sent in protest against the board’s handling of the disciplinary process that led to his dismissal. In an email sent on May 18, 2023, to the board’s directors, Usman expressed his resolve to continue fighting corruption at JAMB, despite being subjected to an alleged unfair disciplinary procedure. “This new development only strengthens my resolve to continue with my quest for justice and to expose the corrupt practices within JAMB,” Usman said in the email, which was read aloud in court.
The former deputy director also accused the disciplinary committee, which recommended his dismissal, of bias. He pointed out that many of the members were complicit in the infractions he had reported, and thus, he feared he would not receive a fair hearing. Usman’s email further conveyed his belief that his dismissal was part of a broader effort to silence him. “I remain determined in the fight for justice and against the corrupt practices in the system,” he wrote.
Usman’s claims have sparked intense public interest, as they paint a picture of a deeply entrenched corruption network within one of Nigeria’s most important educational bodies. The allegations have cast a shadow over JAMB, an institution responsible for administering university admissions and overseeing the national matriculation examination. Usman emphasized that the board’s financial operations were shielded from scrutiny through “remittances made to the government.”
“I know that God alone promotes,” Usman boldly stated in his testimony, dismissing any attempts to intimidate him through the threat of job termination. His words were a direct challenge to those in power, signaling that his fight was not just personal, but part of a broader struggle against systemic corruption.
In his legal battle, Usman is demanding N150 million in damages from JAMB. He claims that his dismissal was both unlawful and malicious, arguing that the board violated its own policies by disregarding his right to a fair hearing. His lawsuit seeks to annul his dismissal and demands his reinstatement with full benefits and entitlements. “I was denied due process, and I will fight until I get the justice I deserve,” Usman declared in court.
The case also highlights potential discrepancies in JAMB’s internal governance. Usman argued that the composition of the disciplinary committee violated the institution’s own rules and procedures. He pointed out that several committee members were implicated in the financial wrongdoings he had exposed. “The committee was constituted in a manner that ensured I would not get a fair hearing,” Usman told the court, adding that the involvement of those who benefited from the alleged corruption tainted the entire process.
As part of his ongoing struggle, Usman revealed that he had been subjected to harassment and intimidation, including threats to his life. These threats, he claimed, were directly linked to his decision to expose the alleged wrongdoing at JAMB. “I have reported the threats to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP),” Usman stated. “If anything happens to me, the Registrar and his associates should be held responsible.”
The case has garnered attention from civil society groups, legal experts, and the general public, who are closely following the unfolding drama. Usman’s fight is seen by many as a symbol of the ongoing struggle against corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions. His case could set a precedent for future whistleblowers who seek justice despite the risks of retaliation.
As the legal proceedings continue, Usman remains resolute in his pursuit of justice. “I am not afraid,” he said in his closing statement to the court. “I will continue to speak out against corruption until the truth is revealed and justice is served.”
