Prominent legal practitioner and human rights advocate, John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq., has condemned the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for withholding the results of candidates classified as underage, describing the action as unconstitutional, malicious, and in contempt of court.
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In a strongly worded statement issued today, Aikpokpo-Martins criticized the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for failing to address the plight of these affected candidates, even after publicly admitting to discrepancies in the recently released UTME results during a press briefing on May 14.
While commending Prof. Oloyede for his rare show of humility in admitting errors that led to massive confusion and trauma—culminating in the tragic suicide of 19-year-old Miss Opesusi Faith Timilehin in Lagos—Aikpokpo-Martins said that failing to release the results of underage candidates remains a grave injustice.
“I commend Prof. Oloyede for his honesty. But that admission is incomplete for as long as JAMB continues to disobey and disregard the subsisting judgment of the Delta State High Court,” Aikpokpo-Martins stated.
He recalled that on February 27, 2025, the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri declared JAMB’s age restriction policy null and void, ruling that no candidate should be denied admission on the basis of age. The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining JAMB from enforcing such discriminatory policies.
“Surprisingly, JAMB, under the watch of Prof. Oloyede, has treated the said judgment with utter disdain and contempt,” he said, accusing the Board of breaching Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates authorities to obey court judgments.
Aikpokpo-Martins, a former NBA 1st Vice President, said JAMB’s continued withholding of results is a gross violation of the rights of young Nigerians whose only ‘crime’ was daring to dream early.
“JAMB seems to treat this sacred examination process as just another bureaucratic task. That is deeply unfortunate and unpardonable,” he lamented.
He warned that the mental, emotional, and psychological trauma inflicted on these children and their families could have lasting consequences, and held JAMB legally and morally responsible for any further harm.
“The future of millions is shaped by this examination. JAMB must not treat the fate of these candidates as mere statistics,” he added.
In a final appeal, Aikpokpo-Martins called on the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-NEC), currently meeting in Ilorin, to deliberate on JAMB’s alleged contempt of court and disregard for the rule of law.
“No crocodile tears will exculpate JAMB under the watch of Prof. Oloyede,” he concluded. “I urge JAMB to immediately release the withheld results and comply fully with the court’s judgment.”
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