When Mmesoma Ejikeme’s story first surfaced, many who thought that JAMB was unnecessarily vilifying the young girl did not hide their grievances. One reason that sponsored the belief in the 19-year-old was that over the years, she had exhibited a track record of academic excellence. On Sunday, July 2, 2023, the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, saddled with the responsibility of conducting entrance examinations for undergraduates into tertiary institutions in Nigeria made a shocking disclosure. It claimed that the results paraded by two of its candidates were fake.
The prominent of the two candidates, Mmesoma Joy Ejikeme was celebrated months ago by lovers of education for scoring 362, clinching the position of the top scorer in the examination. Her success had garnered immense public admiration including that of Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the CEO of Innoson Motors who dolled out a generous three million naira scholarship to the brainy girl. Encomiums poured in from all angles for Ejikeme. The Anambra State Government was also poised to honour her until JAMB accused her of forgery.
In the lengthy press release, JAMB claimed Ejikeme scored 249 but went on to inflate her score manually to 362, and then pasted it on the 2022 UTME result sheet. It did not end there. The examination body released another statement on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, declaring that it had barred the girl from writing UTME for three years – a sanction for the said offence.
At first, many considered JAMB’s sanction as cruel and believed Ejikeme’s side of the story. Her innocent looks, harmless demeanour and articulate disposition placed her on the positive side of the argument. When she made a video defending herself and the result she welded, it was difficult to doubt her, as brilliance shone through her words and charisma. Again, since her intelligence speaks volumes, and it was her first time writing the examination, there was indeed no need to falsify the result.
On the other hand, many had thought that manipulating results requires a great level of technical dexterity which the said girl does not possess. The option of hiring a hacker was ultimately ruled out, because at the time of registering for WAEC and NECO, Punch reports that Ejikeme’s parents were not financially buoyant to foot the bills. Therefore, if she had financial constraints registering for core examinations, how could she afford the services of a hacker to inflate her result? What a lot of people were oblivious to, was the reality of an application on Google Play Store which can do the magic.
This is the reason many who supported this young girl were struck by waves of shock when they found out that JAMB was right all along. Following the discrepancy in the results, Anambra State Government set up a panel of enquiry to verify the authenticity of either result. The panel released its findings on Saturday, July 8, 2023, to the chagrin of many persons. Mmesoma Ejikeme had confessed to manipulating her scores.
But why? A question that beggared answer. Ejikeme gave no reason for her action. It is disappointing that the young intelligent girl decided to ill-use her gift. 249 was not even a bad score, to begin with. Many would consider the score impressive, as it can secure a decent admission in a good university. Perhaps it was greed – the desire for more – that prompted Ejikeme’s desire to inflate her result, propelling her to further go ahead and receive a scholarship award, thereby depriving the legitimate owner who had just attained the peak of her academic achievement of her prize.
It is not a crime to be ambitious, but a person who wants more should work harder and get it legitimately. Mmesoma displayed an audacity too great for her age when she denied requesting and subsequently receiving her original result from JAMB by text. She went on to confidently defend a fake result on national TV and radio stations, pulling up a scam that many never imagined. She brought embarrassment to her parents, teachers, school, state and many others who have come to admire her. The scholarship award she received from Chief Innocent Chukwuma has also been retrieved.
This humongous shortcoming will have a monumental toll on Ejikeme, especially psychologically. The massive recognition she got has not only been halted by this revelation but has also churned out tremendous negative criticisms.
Truly, Mmesoma Ejikeme has erred but there should be a place for forgiveness. It is true that punishment sponsors deterrence. However, a baby is not supposed to be thrown away with the bathwater. Chastising a young girl who is obviously traumatised will further destabilise her. She urgently needs the assistance of a therapist. JAMB and many Nigerians who feel disappointed should please forgive her of this foible. She is only but a child.
