The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is beneath recent scrutiny following petitions to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), questioning the validity of his Bar enrolment and the authenticity of his nationwide service participation.
The file allegations, made obtainable to the media centre on claims that Kalu allegedly mixed his NYSC service yr with attendance on the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus — a transfer the petitioner contends violates each the Legal Practitioners Act and the NYSC Act. If substantiated, the overlap might name into query Kalu’s eligibility to practise regulation and his adherence to statutory necessities.
Former NBA First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, filed the petitions, describing Kalu’s actions as “fraudulent enrolment” on the Roll of Legal Practitioners maintained on the Supreme Court. According to Aikpokpo-Martins, Kalu’s NYSC service reportedly ran from March 9, 2010, to March 8, 2011, whereas he concurrently attended regulation college from April 23, 2010, to July 1, 2011 — a interval he argues is “statutorily impossible” beneath Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act.
In his affidavit to the LPDC, Aikpokpo-Martins cited that Kalu had declared on admission to the Nigerian Law School, beneath the identify Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, that he wouldn’t have interaction in employment or take part in NYSC throughout his research. Yet, the petitioner claims the NYSC discharge certificates signifies steady participation inside the identical interval, doubtlessly violating each statutory necessities and Law School laws mandating full-time attendance.
Kalu, who was referred to as to the Nigerian Bar on September 6, 2011, and enrolled with Supreme Court quantity SCN/078630, now faces questions over whether or not he fulfilled the minimal 70% attendance required for Bar certification. The petitioner contends that if Kalu misrepresented his standing to achieve Law School admission, it might have an effect on his character and health to practise regulation.
The petitions urge the LPDC to launch a proper investigation and, if warranted, impose sanctions beneath Section 11(1)(c) of the Legal Practitioners Act. Separately, Aikpokpo-Martins referred to as on the NYSC Director-General to revoke Kalu’s Certificate of National Service (No. A001773067) and prosecute him beneath Sections 13(1)(b), 13(3), and 13(4) of the NYSC Act, which carry penalties for failing to serve a steady yr or making false declarations.
Aikpokpo-Martins additionally signaled plans to subpoena information from each the NYSC and Nigerian Law School, together with call-up letters, attendance registers, cost information, and discharge paperwork, to confirm claims of simultaneous participation in each packages.
The matter has sparked debate amongst authorized professionals about skilled integrity and statutory compliance. Senior attorneys warning that whereas the allegations are critical, they continue to be unproven till examined earlier than the related authorities. They famous that the NYSC’s requirement of steady service is strictly enforced, and any verified breach might have vital penalties.
As at press time, Kalu has not publicly responded to the allegations. The NYSC and LPDC have but to verify whether or not formal investigations have begun. The unfolding case is drawing consideration to the significance of integrity, transparency, and adherence to statutory obligations amongst public workplace holders, and it might change into probably the most intently scrutinised skilled circumstances involving a high-ranking Nigerian lawmaker in recent times.
