A legal scholar and alumnus of the University of Jos, Dr. John B. Mahwel, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, against criticisms made by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Mahwel described the allegations against Amupitan as “false, misleading and unacceptable,” stating that his intervention was necessary to clarify the issues based on personal knowledge and professional experience. Holding multiple law degrees, including a PhD from the same institution, Mahwel noted that both Amupitan and Dalung are respected alumni of the university’s Faculty of Law. However, he stressed that his position is grounded in verifiable facts rather than sentiment or shared background.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Mahwel said he was taught the Law of Evidence by Amupitan and later worked closely with him for over a decade as a colleague. He portrayed the INEC chairman as a disciplined academic and mentor who supported his growth strictly on merit, without favoritism.
Addressing the central controversy, Mahwel dismissed claims linking Amupitan to any form of academic misconduct during the 2009 academic session. According to him, while irregularities in student results did occur during that period, they were traced to administrative lapses involving non-academic personnel rather than deliberate wrongdoing by faculty members.
He further explained that it was under Amupitan’s leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Law that the discrepancies were identified and investigated. The internal review process, he said, led to the correction of errors, including the withdrawal of improperly awarded grades and, in some cases, delayed graduations for affected students.
Mahwel argued that these actions reflected a strong commitment to institutional accountability and transparency. He maintained that rather than implicating Amupitan, the episode demonstrated his dedication to upholding academic standards.
He concluded by urging the public to rely on verified facts and avoid being swayed by unsubstantiated claims, emphasizing the importance of fairness and objectivity in public discourse.
