The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has terminated the appointment of a staff member found to have allegedly extorted unsuspecting candidates, warning employees against conduct capable of undermining the integrity of the examination and admission processes.

JAMB disclosed the sanction in its release bulletin on Monday, saying the action was part of its renewed efforts to rid its admission and examination processes of fraud and misconduct.

The board warned members of staff against exploiting candidates or members of the public, stressing that employees found engaging in such conduct would face severe sanctions in line with established rules.

“Accordingly, the Board once again warned all members of staff to desist from all forms of unwholesome conduct, particularly acts capable of undermining the integrity of the Board or exploiting candidates and members of the public, as such actions would attract severe consequences in accordance with established rules,” JAMB stated.

The board said its crackdown on fraud was not limited to individuals operating outside the organisation, stressing that the same standards applied to internal misconduct.

According to JAMB, the termination of the staff member demonstrated that the board was prepared to deal decisively with fraudulent conduct within its workforce, just as it had pursued external fraudsters.

“The Board stated that its resolve to sanitise the admission and examination processes is not targeted at external fraudsters alone, stressing that the same determination with which it has relentlessly pursued and dealt with fraudulent elements outside the Board is being brought to bear on internal misconduct,” the bulletin read.

JAMB said the termination should serve as a warning to its workforce that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applied to every employee, regardless of status or position.

“The Board noted that the action sends a clear and unequivocal message that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applies to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” it added.

The board also said it would not protect employees who abused their positions or violated the trust placed in them by candidates and members of the public.

“JAMB stressed that having dealt decisively with external fraudsters who seek to exploit candidates and members of the public, it would not shield or spare any of its own staff members who cross the line or abuse the trust reposed in them,” the document stated.

JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean, accountable and professional workforce, saying efforts to eliminate fraud and misconduct must begin from within the organisation.

“The Board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean, accountable and professional workforce, stressing that the fight against fraud and misconduct must begin from within if the integrity of its operations is to be fully preserved,” JAMB said.