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Members of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have pushed back against allegations made by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, regarding the integrity of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan. The response comes amid growing public debate triggered by Dalung’s claims questioning the INEC chairman’s past academic conduct. 
A legal scholar and UNIJOS alumnus, Dr. John Mahwel, speaking on behalf of concerned academics, described the allegations as false, misleading, and politically charged. Drawing from personal experience as both a student and later a colleague of Amupitan, he insisted that the INEC chairman has a longstanding record of professionalism and integrity within the academic community. 
Addressing specific claims about alleged academic misconduct during the 2009 academic session, Mahwel clarified that irregularities did occur at the time but were traced to administrative lapses involving non-academic staff, not Amupitan. He noted that it was under Amupitan’s leadership as dean that the discrepancies were uncovered and corrected, describing the actions taken as evidence of institutional accountability rather than wrongdoing. 
He also dismissed suggestions that Amupitan victimised Dalung academically, stating that the timeline of events does not support such claims and that academic decisions are typically collective, not controlled by a single individual. While acknowledging both men as respected figures from the same faculty, Mahwel urged caution against politicising academic issues, warning that unverified accusations could undermine public trust in key national institutions. 
