Mmesoma Ejikeme, the 19-year-old candidate involved in the forgery of UTME results, has appealed to Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to reconsider the three-year ban imposed on her.
During the investigative hearing conducted by the ad hoc committee mandated by the House of Representatives to investigate the forgery allegations, Miss Ejikeme, accompanied by her father and lawyer, made her appeal on Wednesday.
Dressed in a yellow outfit, she read a prepared letter addressed to the JAMB Registrar. In her letter, she admitted to committing the forgery, attributing her actions to “ignorance.”
Miss Ejikeme humbly requested Mr. Oloyede to show leniency by reducing the severity of the punishment imposed by the Board. Expressing deep remorse, she said, “I earnestly seek your forgiveness for the mistake I made,” acknowledging the pain and disappointment she caused. She emphasized that this was the first instance in her academic journey where she had been accused of any wrongdoing.
After her testimony, Miss Ejikeme and her father were permitted to leave to catch a flight. Prior to her appeal, Mr. Oloyede presented 19 pieces of evidence that unequivocally proved the forgery of the candidate’s result.
He also disclosed that JAMB had shut down approximately eight Computer Based Test (CBT) centers in connection with the forgery case.
The appeal from Miss Ejikeme reflects her remorse and willingness to take responsibility for her actions. The ad hoc committee and JAMB will consider her plea, taking into account the evidence presented and the circumstances surrounding the case, to determine the appropriate course of action.