Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for the immediate removal of Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examinations, Oboku Oforji, over allegations of intimidation, extortion and financial impropriety involving Nigeria’s examination bodies.
The groups raised the alarm on Wednesday during a joint press briefing in Abuja, accusing the lawmaker of abusing his oversight role to allegedly pressure agencies including JAMB, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB for funds under the guise of committee activities.
Speaking for the coalition, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, Convener of the Social Transparency and Youth Leadership Advancement Initiative, says the alleged conduct threatens recent reforms within the examination system and undermines public confidence. “Intimidation and continuous extortion by anyone entrusted with public oversight is unacceptable to civil society and Nigerians at large,” Jacob says.
According to the CSOs, Oforji allegedly demands funds from examination bodies, diverts part for personal use and runs the committee without transparency. They also claim he unilaterally engages and disengages consultants and undertakes foreign trips using committee funds without informing or involving other members.
The organisations further question payments totalling ₦62.7 million into the committee’s account and a reported partial refund of ₦43 million, insisting the transactions require urgent scrutiny to ensure accountability.
They also allege that requests sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) for examination bodies’ bank statements are used to pressure agency heads who resist demands.
Calling the matter one of “urgent national importance”, the groups urge Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to remove Oforji and refer him to the House Committee on Ethics for investigation, warning that failure to act could trigger nationwide protests at the National Assembly.
They also appeal to anti-corruption agencies to conduct independent investigations, stressing that examination bodies must remain free from undue interference to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Hussaini Ibrahim