UNIJOS Law Faculty Dismisses Results Trading Allegations Against INEC Chairman
The Faculty of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has issued a strong rebuttal against allegations of results manipulation leveled against Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In an official statement released on Monday, the faculty described the claims as entirely false and politically motivated, asserting that no evidence supports the accusations.
Allegations and Immediate Response
The controversy emerged following remarks by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, who alleged in a television interview that during Amupitan's tenure as Dean of the Faculty from 2008 to 2014, he engaged in trading off the results of 16 "special students" in the 2009/2010 academic session. Dalung claimed this involved manipulating academic outcomes for undeserving candidates.
However, the Dean of the Faculty, Francis M. Kwede, categorically denied these allegations in a detailed statement. "The allegation that Prof. Amupitan traded off the results of certain students is entirely untrue. Nothing of the sort ever happened in that class, or indeed any other class before or after, to the best knowledge of the Faculty Board," Kwede emphasized. He added that there is no record or documentation to substantiate the claims of result manipulation or replacement of students who earned Second Class Upper Division with unqualified individuals.
Defense of Amupitan's Integrity and Reforms
The Faculty's statement vigorously defended Amupitan's character and professional conduct, describing him as a man who served with "honour, candour, and professionalism" throughout his association with the university. It highlighted that his leadership was marked by significant academic and infrastructural improvements within the Faculty.
Notably, the statement pointed to reforms implemented under Amupitan's deanship, including the introduction of Excel-based result computation systems. This innovation replaced manual methods that were prone to errors and delays, ensuring greater accuracy and timeliness in processing results. This advancement allowed final-year students to meet crucial deadlines for admission into the Nigerian Law School, thereby enhancing the efficiency of academic processes.
Clarification on Dalung's Claims and Academic Records
Addressing Dalung's specific assertion of victimization, the Faculty presented records indicating that Dalung successfully completed his postgraduate studies and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in December 2010. "It is therefore not fathomable how he could claim to have sacrificed his studies on account of victimization," the statement noted. Furthermore, the Faculty clarified that there is no record of Dalung ever contesting any academic result before the Faculty Board, undermining the basis of his allegations.
The statement also underscored Amupitan's esteemed reputation within the university community, noting that his effective leadership led to multiple elections into the university's Governing Council and his eventual appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). These achievements, according to the Faculty, reflect the high regard in which he is held and contradict any notions of misconduct.
Political Context and Call for Disregard
The Faculty attributed the allegations to the context of partisan political discourse, urging the public to disregard them as unfounded. "There are no facts or records to substantiate claims of result favouritism or victimization. Such comments should be ignored as products of political rhetoric," the statement concluded. It reinforced the message that the accusations lack credibility and are designed to tarnish Amupitan's reputation without merit.
In summary, the UNIJOS Law Faculty has firmly rejected the results trading allegations against INEC Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan, defending his integrity and highlighting his contributions to academic reforms. The response aims to clear his name and dismiss the claims as baseless political attacks.
