Olayiwola Matthew
A lecturer and alumnus of the University of Jos, Dr. John B. Mahwel, has publicly challenged recent allegations made by former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a detailed account released on Thursday, Mahwel, who obtained his Diploma, LL.B, LL.M, and PhD from the University of Jos, said he felt compelled to respond due to his direct involvement in the events referenced by Dalung and his membership of the 2009 graduating class of the Faculty of Law.
“I am a product of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos… In that sense, I can rightly be described as ‘made in Jos,’” he stated, adding that his intervention was not driven by sentiment but by “my duty to set the record straight.”
Mahwel acknowledged both Dalung and Amupitan as former lecturers who contributed to his academic journey, noting that their rise to national prominence reflects positively on the institution. “Of the two individuals under discussion, one is a former Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while the other is the current Chairman of INEC. This is indeed a great honour and blessing to the Faculty,” he said.
Providing insight into his academic interactions, Mahwel described his professional relationship with Amupitan, whom he said taught him Law of Evidence and later worked alongside him for over a decade.
“I first met Prof. Amupitan as a Diploma student, when he taught me Law of Evidence… a course I later had the privilege of teaching alongside him for about thirteen years,” he noted.
He also recalled his early encounters with Dalung as a student coordinator, describing his distinctive teaching style. “Unlike the conventional appearance of law lecturers in formal suits, he often appeared in full traditional attire and even brought water in a calabash rather than a bottle,” Mahwel said.
On the core issue of integrity, Mahwel firmly rejected Dalung’s allegations, insisting that Amupitan’s record in the Faculty of Law speaks for itself.
“I will like to state outright that Professor Amupitan… is a man of integrity and one of the best Deans to have served in the Faculty of Law, University of Jos,” he said, adding that many colleagues and former students were dissatisfied with what he described as attempts to tarnish the professor’s reputation.
Addressing the controversy over alleged result manipulation during the 2009 academic session, Mahwel provided a different account, explaining that irregularities were identified and corrected through due process.
“To the best of my knowledge, there was indeed an issue relating to result processing during our time… these irregularities were largely traced to non-academic staff,” he stated.
He emphasised that Amupitan, who had just assumed office as Dean at the time, acted decisively upon receiving reports of discrepancies.
Read also: Dalung’s Outburst vs Amupitan’s Record: When a Failed Former Minister Points Fingers at a Proven Legal Luminary
“He then ordered an investigation… the Faculty decided to reflect their true grades,” Mahwel explained, adding that the process was collective and transparent. “The Minutes and proceedings of the Faculty Board Meeting where the result was approved will show clearly that the allegation was untrue.”
According to him, the corrective exercise affected students across all grade categories and even led to some being unable to graduate with their set.
“In my considered view, this development should be seen as a demonstration of institutional integrity,” he said. “If nothing, Professor Amupitan ought to be commended for that bold step.”
Mahwel also dismissed claims that influential individuals were improperly awarded grades, stating, “to the best of my knowledge as a member of the 2009 set, there was no serving Deputy Inspector General in our class.”
He further argued that allegations of victimisation were unfounded, noting that academic processes within the university are governed by collective decision-making rather than the authority of a single individual.
“No Dean has the unilateral power to victimise or frustrate a student… Academic processes are subject to institutional checks,” he said.
In his conclusion, Mahwel cautioned against politicising academic issues, particularly given the current national context.
“In my humble opinion, Hon. Solomon Dalung went too far in his attack on the integrity of Prof. Amupitan,” he said. “To call Professor Amupitan… a man of ‘zero integrity’ is false, misleading and unacceptable.”
He urged public figures to exercise restraint in their statements, warning that such allegations could undermine confidence in institutions and individuals working to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.
The statement adds a new dimension to the growing public debate surrounding Amupitan’s appointment and underscores the broader tensions between political narratives and institutional reputations.
