Mmesoma Vs JAMB

ULOKA CHIBUIKE 

Recently, the media was bombarded with tales of one Mmesoma Joy Ejikeme, who was accused of displaying a ‘forged’ result by jamb and, claiming to be the top scorer in their 2023 Matriculation exam. The allegations would subsequently deteriorate as more people became interested in the truth of what happened since Mmesoma responded in a viral video distancing herself from the allegations and, pretended to be a victim in the viral video. I was particularly sympathetic to Mmesoma, whom I saw as the victim, while Jamb and others were the aggressors.

The various arguments for and against resulted in the Anambra State Government forming a committee comprised of seasoned academics and Professors.

I had already taken a sabbatical from social media before their findings were made public. Although I’d later read the final report of the committee on mainstream news, which indicted the said Mmesoma; who the final report said confessed to deliberately and personally mutilating her 2023 jamb result with her mobile phone to mislead the public. Upon my return to social media, I deemed it necessary to acknowledge this final report, which hasn’t been objected to by Mmesoma, her school, or her parents; who have all instead offered apologies on her behalf.

As someone in defense of Mmesoma (although not out of emotions but for the several inconsistencies in our educational system, discriminations, and other factors). I thought it wise to withdraw my defense, not as an apology for my feelings but as an acknowledgement that I was misled by the demeanor and lying technique of Mmesoma and her claims of being a minor when her actual age is 19; a young adult already.

I must commend the Joint Academic Matriculation Board (JAMB), which is currently led by Professor Ishaq Oloyede as its registrar, for not allowing the vitriol of many Nigerians to sway their position. They instead stuck to their guns and insisted that the results Mmesoma displayed were not theirs, and they went above and beyond to support their claims with facts alone rather than media trials and rhetoric.

Mmesoma has demonstrated that appearances can be deceiving and that criminal activity knows no boundaries in terms of origin, environment, or age. Hence, all people are guilty until proven innocent.

Since she committed her crime on purpose, I will not give in and ask for her pardon. No matter their motivations or purposes, those who might want to undertake any type of crime or criminality will be discouraged by the inevitable punishment for Mmesoma crime. Her actions are criminal, and I will personally remember them even when she becomes a full adult.

There are many Mmesoma wandering around in our families, communities, and schools. This is nothing more than a breakdown in traditional family values and unrestrained social media use for teens. Her indictment ought to serve as a wake-up call to parents, regardless of the realities of the modern world, to pay attention to the activities of their kids and wards, and possibly those in their neighborhood (environmental parenting).

Instead of trying to repair a damaged adult, it is far preferable to fix the society by raising decent children.

Once more, I firmly insist that Mmesoma receive the proper punishment for her crime since it will act as a deterrent to future offenders. Forgery is a serious offense.

Social vices are surging in our society today because criminal offenders are frequently not given just punishments. We cannot live in a culture where criminals are tolerated, regardless of the excuses we make for them.

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©Uloka Chibuike.