AFRICMIL accuses NASU, ASCSN of victimising sacked JAMB whistleblower

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has condemned what it terms an attempt by two unions at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to tarnish the reputation of a whistleblower.

In 2023, JAMB dismissed its deputy director Yisa Usman following his allegations of financial mismanagement within the organization.

Usman alleged that his termination was a direct result of his whistleblowing activities.

In response, the dismissed deputy director filed a N150 million suit against JAMB, alleging unlawful dismissal and seeking redress.

During court proceedings at the national industrial court in Abuja, Usman acknowledged that he authored multiple petitions to antigraft agencies, detailing his concerns about alleged corruption under JAMB’s current leadership.

He also admitted to receiving queries from JAMB and an invitation to appear before a disciplinary committee before his dismissal.

JAMB’s affiliated unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have refuted Usman’s claims.

The unions labelled them as unfounded, arguing that his dismissal was justified and not connected to his allegations of corruption.

The case has been under judicial consideration, with Usman vowing to further expose what claims to be systemic corruption within JAMB.

In a statement signed by its coordinator Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL alleged that NASU and ASCSN have launched misleading attacks against Usman.

AFRICMIL  described the unions’ claims as a calculated effort to divert attention from what it said were verifiable allegations of financial misconduct made by the former JAMB official.

It challenged the unions’ argument that JAMB’s classification as a government-owned enterprise (GOE) absolves it from scrutiny.

AFRICMIL stated that transparency should extend beyond classification to how funds generated from students are managed.

The organisation dismissed claims that oversight bodies had cleared JAMB of wrongdoing, demanding that any investigative reports be made public.

“Accountability in public institutions must be open, verifiable, and subject to independent review,” AFRICMIL said.

AFRICMIL maintained that Usman was not speaking out because he was dismissed but was dismissed as a consequence of his whistleblowing efforts.

It warned the unions against misrepresenting ongoing legal proceedings, cautioning them to respect the principle of sub judice.

AFRICMIL called for an independent investigation into JAMB’s financial and administrative activities, free from institutional influence and intimidation.