In a world where trust is essential, a single act of dishonesty can shatter the faith we have in others. The recent controversy surrounding Ejikeme Mmesoma Joy, a young lady who initially gained recognition for her outstanding academic achievement, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of trust and the consequences of deception. From the jubilation of success to the shocking revelation of alleged result inflation, the story highlights the challenges faced by both individuals and society when confronted with such situations.
The Rise to Fame
Ejikeme Mmesoma Joy’s name entered the mainstream media with resounding applause. Scoring the highest in JAMB, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination in Nigeria, with an impressive total of 362, she was celebrated as a beacon of brilliance. Adding to the pride and admiration felt by many Nigerians, she was also slated to receive a 3-million-naira scholarship sponsored by Innoson Vehicles, a leading Nigerian automobile manufacturer.
The Shocking Revelation
However, the tale took an unexpected turn when JAMB, on July 2, accused Mmesoma of inflating her result. In a statement, the examination board announced their intent to pursue legal action, alleging that she had misled the nation by claiming to have achieved the highest score in the exam. JAMB insisted that Mmesoma’s actual score was 249, a significant discrepancy from the reported 362.
Defiance and Doubt: Despite the accusations, Mmesoma stood firm in her defense, maintaining that she obtained the result from JAMB’s portal. This conflicting stance sparked a political and media frenzy, drawing the attention of major players, including JAMB, the National Assembly, and tribal sentiment advocates. Amidst the controversy, questions were raised about the fairness of JAMB acting as both judge and executioner, leaving us to ponder the significance of Foggy Nelson’s words from ‘Daredevil’: “It’s not enough playing judge and jury…you’ve got to add executioner to the list?”
Unraveling the Truth
As the controversy unfolded, it became evident that a thorough investigation was necessary to uncover the truth. Innoson Vehicles stressed the importance of a proper inquiry, urging for clarity on the matter. The House of Representatives echoed this sentiment, calling on JAMB to halt any punitive actions until a comprehensive investigation could be conducted. The Anambra State Government also distanced itself from JAMB’s claim, forming a committee to examine the alleged forgery.
Confirming Manipulation
The subsequent report from the Anambra panel confirmed suspicions of result manipulation. The committee, after conducting interviews with relevant parties and examining the evidence, concluded that Mmesoma had indeed submitted a different registration number to JAMB, presenting a fabricated UTME result. The panel’s findings shed light on the stark difference between the initial claimed score of 362 and the actual score of 249.
Conclusion: The Ejikeme Mmesoma Joy case serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the challenges that arise when trust is broken. As the dust settles, questions remain about the long-term consequences for Mmesoma and the lessons we can draw from this incident. Trust, once shattered, becomes a formidable obstacle to overcome. As we navigate a world where truth and integrity are paramount, it is essential to remain vigilant and discerning, while also recognizing the potential for redemption and growth.
Committee’s Full Report Text
7th July, 2023
Prof. C.C Soludo,
Governor, Anambra State.
Mr. Governor, REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EJIKEME JOY MMESOMA’S JAMB SCORE CONTROVERSY
Recall Mr. Governor that with the recent release of scores of candidates who applied for admission by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and subsequent announcement of Nkechiyere Umeh as the candidate with the highest score of 360, Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, a 19 year old student of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi, from Enugu State, protested to the State Government that she scored 362 and ought to have been so recognised. This has elicited interests and generated serious controversy and misgivings among the general public that the State Government in its wisdom decided to constitute a Committee of Inquiry to look into the underlisted terms of reference;
Review Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s JAMB Results and associated documents Conduct interviews with relevant parties, including Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, JAMB Officials and any other individual(s) involved in the process. Provide recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.
The Committee invited Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School, and officials of JAMB for interactive session with the Committee. JAMB officials led by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Head Public Affairs presented the detailed processes and procedures involved in JAMB admissions, the policy changes that have occurred in the release of UTME scores since 2021 and what specifically transpired between the candidate Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma with registration number: 20230639047FF in her quest to obtain her JAMB score.
JAMB revealed the different times that Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma made several requests to JAMB portal asking for her results at different hours, and each of these times (four in number), she received in her phone, same results from JAMB indicating candidate’s UTME Results to wit: Eng: 64, Phy:54, Bio: 74, Che: 57 with a total aggregate score of 249. JAMB disclosed that the candidate was well informed of her correct score from JAMB. Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had sent a request to JAMB with a different registration number showing a UTME result of aggregate score of 362, with Eng: 98, Phy: 89, Bio: 94, and Che: 81. The results she sent differed substantially from the standard JAMB format where she got an appropriate rebuttal stating her real score of 249.
Besides, a number of red-flags was also highlighted by JAMB officials showing a different date of birth, different Registration Number, Notification of results template that has been discarded since 2021, amongst others. It was also evident that even the centre name “Nkemefuna Foundation (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development as it was known before now) used for the examination was also manipulated where the candidate used the old name of the centre (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development) in her own manipulated result sheet.
In Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s submission, she owned up in the presence of her principal, and the Education Secretary that the narration by the JAMB officials was a true and correct description of what transpired. She also admitted to have given a manipulated result by herself unaided, using same phone Airtel Number.
According to her, she proceeded to the cybercafé (Prisca Global Computers, Uruagu, Nnewi) where she printed the results she had manipulated.
The Committee tried to find out the motive behind her action, but Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma said NOTHING. In their own submissions, the Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary school, Uruagu Nnewi, and the Education Secretary-Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed shock at what transpired where in their presence, Mmesoma admitted to have manipulated her UTME results, deceiving the school, her immediate family and the State Government.
COMMITTEE’S FINDINGS
The results released by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with respect to the UTME score of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is 249
2 The results paraded by Epheme Joy Mmesoma with aggregate score of 362 is fake as buttressed by the very significant and instructive variations In the registration number, date of birth centre name and other Infractions to Mimesoma admitted that she manipulated the fake results herself, using her phone.
The Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary School-Mrs. Edu Uche and the Education Secretary, Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed dismay at the conduct of Epkeme Jay Mmesoma
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That Elikeme Joy Mmesoma tenders an unreserved written apology to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (AMB), the School (Anglican Girls Secondary School, Uruagu Nnew) and the Anambra State Government. This should be done immediately.
2 Elikeme Joy Mmesoma should undergo a psychological counselling and therapy
3. All prospective candidates for JAMB Admission should adhere strictly to guidelines, processes and procedures of the examination body.
The Committee of Inquiry commends Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their diligent handling of the matter and the information supplied about the interface with the candidate (see attached). We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.
CONCLUSION
Finally, we thank Mr. Governor for setting up this Committee, and, for the confidence reposed in the committee.
