A legal scholar, Dr. John B. Mahwel, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, dismissing corruption allegations made against him by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Mahwel, an alumnus of the University of Jos Faculty of Law, described the claims as false and misleading, insisting they do not reflect the INEC chairman’s character or professional record.
In a statement, Mahwel said his intervention was necessary to clarify issues based on his firsthand experience as both a student and later a lecturer under Amupitan.
He noted that while both Amupitan and Dalung are respected products of the same faculty, his position was grounded in verifiable facts rather than personal or regional affiliations.
Recounting his academic relationship with Amupitan, Mahwel said he was taught Law of Evidence by the professor and later worked with him for over a decade. He described the INEC chairman as a mentor who supported his career strictly on merit.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the 2009 academic session, Mahwel acknowledged that there were cases of result discrepancies at the time but clarified that these were linked to administrative lapses involving non-academic staff.
He said the issues were uncovered and corrected under Amupitan’s leadership as Dean through an internal review process, which led to the reversal of irregular grades and delayed graduation for affected students.
He maintained that the actions taken demonstrated institutional integrity rather than misconduct.
Mahwel also dismissed claims that a serving Deputy Inspector General of Police graduated in the 2009 set with disputed results, stating that no such individual existed in his class to his knowledge.
On allegations that Amupitan victimised Dalung academically, Mahwel said the timeline of events contradicts such claims, noting that Amupitan was not Dean during Dalung’s postgraduate studies.
He added that academic decisions are made collectively, making it difficult for any single official to influence outcomes unfairly.
While expressing respect for both men, Mahwel cautioned against politicising sensitive academic matters, especially amid heightened political tensions. He urged public figures to avoid unverified claims that could erode public trust in key national institutions.
He reaffirmed that Amupitan’s record reflects professionalism and integrity, calling on the public to rely on credible facts rather than politically motivated narratives.