By Kowiat Adepoju

The 19-year-old candidate, Mmesoma Ejikeme who was in the news some weeks ago over UTME result falsification has pleaded to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) requesting for pardon as she appears before the House of Representatives.

The appeal took place on Wednesday after the House of Representative  ad hoc committee had set up an investigative hearing to probe the forgery allegations against her.

Miss Mmemosa Ejikeme beside Hon. Sanda Soli, Chairman House Committee during the hearing on Wed. 19/7/2023.

Recall that Mmesoma in a viral video on social media had claimed that she scored 326 against the score 249 given to her by JAMB, which sparked lots of reactions from people.

Reacting to her claim, the Board presented evidence showing that Mmesoma had requested her result through its automated SMS-based services which continuously responded to her request with a 249 score. 

Meanwhile,further investigations revealed the teenager falsified the result while claimed she downloaded it from the official JAMB portal.  When further faced with unquestionable and concrete evidences from JAMB, Mmemosa gave in and changed her position on her claim on the result.  Having admitted her wrong at Green chamber appearance, Mmesoma told the house that she has come to tender her ' Letter of Profound Apology.

"I humbly seek your forgiveness for the mistake I made. I sincerely agree that I got the JAMB result from another portal. In the course of this, I lambasted JAMB; I apologize,” she said.

Mmesoma, who has since had her result withdrawn and earned a three-year ban by the exam body confessed that ignorance played a significant role in her action.

“Words cannot describe the depth of pain in my heart. This is the first time I will be doing this, I have never engaged in falsification or any misdemeanor,” she said, adding that it was not in her character to manipulate results or bring public institutions to ridicule.  Having realized her wrong, Mmesoma told the lawmakers she would gladly accept the recommendation of the ad hoc committee as she vows to make amend.

"I want you to temper justice with mercy,” she pleaded.

Meanwhile, while commenting, The JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede said Mmesoma's falsification of her result was aided by the center where she wrote the exam adding that the center had been banned for aiding and abetting fraud.

Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, JAMB Rgistrar.

Clarifying the speculations trailing Mmesoma's case, Oloyede insisted that there was no loophole in JAMB and that eight centers in Anambra State are currently undergoing investigation over the case.  He, however, commended JAMB's efforts in its processes and procedures urging the public not to lose confidence in public institutions and be mindful of making unfounded statements.

Speaking further, he stated how JAMB has introduced innovations that will prevent human interference in its operational processes thereby stimulating trust in the public.

"Mmesoma's case was that of an amateur.  There was one falsification by a candidate that I almost went mad on". He said.  He however added that 109 other candidates will share Mmemosa’s fate as regards the ban from writing JAMB examination and withdrawal of result.

Eventually, The Chairman of the Committee, Sanda Soli , advised Mmesoma to mend her ways and avoid re-occurrence. 

He said," You are one of the high scores, don't ever think of doing bad things to achieve anything ever again."