The management of Innoson Automobile Company has declared its stance on the N3 million scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme, an Anambra candidate accused of forging her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The Head of Corporate Communications, Cornel Osigwe stated that the scholarship will stand if the latter is found to be innocent by JAMB of result manipulation.

JAMB accused Ejikeme of using a software to manipulate her score to 362 as against 249.

In a series of tweets, Osigwe said: “We’re doing our independent investigation on the issue of manipulation, if we found that the girl willfully manipulated her result, we shall withdraw the scholarship, but if we observe she is innocent of the accusation, then the scholarship stands, whether she is the best or not.

“That girl was one of the most brilliant in her school, according to the Principal, her parents couldn’t even afford to pay for her WEAC and NECO Exams. Of what advantage will it offer her to manipulate her JAMB score? Let the poor breathe pls.”

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, also called for an independent investigation into the claims by Mmesoma.

The former Minister tweeted: “This saga between Mmesoma Ejikeme and @JAMBHQ requires an Independent Tech investigation to unearth all facts.

“Listening to her in this video, it is reasonable to request a forensic investigation to help reveal what really happened. I have reached out to the Registrar of JAMB.

“An Independent investigation would turn this curious episode into a Learning Opportunity for @JAMBHQ and everyone, especially students.

“I frankly see no downsides in asking a team of Independent Technology folks to investigate and publicly share their findings. Let’s do it.”