A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has backed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on sanctions against Ejikeme Mmesoma, the candidate accused of manipulating her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test scores.
JAMB had barred Mmesoma from taking its exam for the next three years.
Ezekwesili said there was need for such sanction to serve as deterrence to others in the future.
She, however, recommended sustained counseling for Mmesoma as she reflects through the tragic episode.
Reacting, Ezekwesili on her official Twitter handle, said: “Mmesoma and @JAMBHQ Saga: I have just read the report of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate and report their independent findings on the Mmesoma and JAMB Saga.
“I am satisfied with the process and findings of their investigation which gave Mmesoma fair hearing to enable the Committee gather all facts.
“It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her.
“There are usually syndicates at the center of perpetration of exam malpractices in Nigeria but it appears not to be so in Mmesoma’s case from the facts of the Committee’s report.
“Mmesoma’s action has consequences. I therefore support the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within our educational system.”