Renowned lawyer, Chief Johnmary Maduakolam, has issued a stern warning to the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the board’s management, indicating his intent to file a lawsuit should they fail to issue an apology to Anambra pupil, Mmesoma Ejikeme. The young student was recently accused by JAMB of manually inflating her 2023 UTME result, an allegation vehemently denied by her lawyer.In a strongly worded letter addressed to Prof. Oloyede, Chief Maduakolam, who also heads the Johnmary Akachukwu Maduakolam Initiative for Education, expressed shock and disappointment over the allegations leveled against his client. The lawyer emphasized that Mmesoma was incapable of fabricating her own results and accused JAMB of failing to safeguard the girl’s identity.Chief Maduakolam stated, “I am Chief Johnmary Akachukwu Maduakolam, a legal practitioner and the President of Johnmary Akachukwu Maduakolam Initiative for Education, which is a pet project with a special interest in education and the holistic development of young individuals.”He further added, “I am shocked to have read, through media reports, a circular issued by one Mr. Fabian Benjamin on behalf of JAMB, accusing Ms. Mmesoma Ejikeme, a minor and a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi, Anambra State, of falsifying JAMB scores to deceive unsuspecting philanthropists. By releasing this publication, JAMB, under your leadership, has defamed an innocent girl, subjected her to public disgrace, and, most importantly, failed in its duty to protect the rights of the girl child under the Child’s Right Act.”In response to the lawyer’s claims, JAMB released a statement on Sunday evening reiterating its position that Ejikeme had manually inflated her UTME result from 249 to 362. The board alleged that she had used this doctored score to secure a N3 million scholarship from Innoson Motors, which was due to be awarded by the Anambra State government before the truth emerged.According to JAMB’s statement, “The most distressing case involves Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and was granted a N3 million scholarship by Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma. She was even set to receive honors from the Anambra State Government when one of its top officials contacted JAMB to verify her claim. However, the Board revealed that Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had actually scored 249, not the 362 she claimed. She had manipulated her UTME result in an attempt to deceive the public and fraudulently obtain a scholarship and other accolades.”In light of these developments, Chief Maduakolam highlighted the apparent irony surrounding the situation, asserting that JAMB, rather than his client, may be culpable of distributing fake results. Moreover, even if Ejikeme had forged her scores, he emphasized that the law affords her certain protections as a minor.Concluding his letter, the lawyer demanded an immediate retraction of the damaging publication against his client, an unequivocal apology, and prompt action to mitigate the trauma caused by JAMB’s conduct. Chief Maduakolam warned that failure, neglect, or refusal to meet these demands would result in legal action, for which JAMB would bear the associated costs.