Odita Sunday 
A legal scholar and alumnus of the University of Jos, John B. Mahwel, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, amid sustained criticism by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Mahwel, in a detailed account, dismissed allegations against Amupitan as “false, misleading and unacceptable,” insisting that the claims do not reflect the true circumstances surrounding the issues raised.
The legal scholar, a member of the Faculty of Law’s 2009 graduating class, said his intervention was informed by firsthand experience, having interacted closely with Amupitan both as a student and later as a lecturer. He noted that his position was based strictly on verifiable facts rather than sentiment or shared affiliations.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Mahwel described Amupitan as a mentor who upheld merit and professionalism, recalling that he was taught Law of Evidence by the INEC chairman before later working with him for over a decade.
He also acknowledged Dalung as a respected figure within the faculty, recounting his role as a course coordinator with a distinct teaching style prior to his transition into national politics.
Addressing the controversy, Mahwel rejected claims linking Amupitan to academic misconduct during the 2009 session. He explained that while irregularities in results did occur, they were traced to administrative lapses involving non-academic staff rather than deliberate actions by the then Dean.
According to him, Amupitan’s leadership led to the discovery and correction of the discrepancies through an internal review process, which resulted in the reversal of improperly awarded grades and, in some cases, delayed graduations. He described this as a clear demonstration of institutional integrity.
Mahwel further dismissed claims that a serving Deputy Inspector General of Police graduated in that set under questionable circumstances, stating that no such individual existed in his class to his knowledge.
On allegations that Amupitan hindered Dalung’s academic progress, he argued that the timeline contradicts such claims, noting that Amupitan was not Dean during Dalung’s postgraduate studies. He added that academic decisions are collective, making it difficult for any single individual to victimise a student.
While expressing respect for both men, Mahwel cautioned against politicising academic issues, urging public figures to exercise restraint and rely on verified facts to avoid misleading the public and undermining confidence in key national institutions.
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