A coalition of civil society organisations led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG) has issued a strong call for accountability and transparency over questions surrounding the academic and national service records of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, the coalition said the matter raises significant questions that must be addressed in the interest of constitutional compliance, public integrity and the credibility of public office.
Addressing journalists, the President of the coalition, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, stated that civil society groups are compelled to act whenever issues arise that may undermine the principles of accountability and rule of law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the coalition, the controversy centres on the possibility that the Deputy Speaker may have undertaken two programmes that are ordinarily considered mutually exclusive: participation in the compulsory national service scheme administered by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and full-time legal training at the Nigerian Law School.
The group argued that NYSC regulations require corps members to undertake a continuous one-year national service, while the Nigerian Law School maintains strict policies requiring students to devote themselves fully to academic training during the duration of the programme.
Ogakwu noted that available records indicate that the Deputy Speaker swore an oath under the NYSC Act affirming his commitment to complete the mandatory one-year service. At the same time, he reportedly signed a declaration upon admission into the Nigerian Law School affirming that he would not engage in employment or participate in the NYSC during his course of study.
The coalition said the existence of both commitments within the same timeline has created serious questions that require clarification from the relevant institutions.
“We are not here to pronounce anyone guilty,” Ogakwu said. “Our duty as civil society actors is to demand clarity where public records raise legitimate questions. Nigerians deserve to know how these timelines align with the regulations governing both institutions.”
The coalition therefore called on the National Youth Service Corps to publicly confirm whether the Deputy Speaker fully participated in the compulsory national service programme and under what circumstances his discharge certificate was issued.
It also urged the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education to release records confirming that he met the institution’s attendance and participation requirements prior to being called to the Nigerian Bar.
Beyond the institutional clarifications, the coalition urged the Deputy Speaker to personally provide evidence demonstrating that he did not combine both programmes in violation of institutional rules.
According to the civil society groups, the integrity of public office demands that leaders address such issues transparently and without delay.
The coalition also called on the Deputy Speaker to step aside pending the resolution of the matter, arguing that the office he occupies is too critical to be clouded by unresolved questions.
Furthermore, the group issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the relevant authorities to provide clarity on the issue, warning that failure to respond could trigger sustained civic actions, including peaceful protests and advocacy campaigns aimed at compelling accountability.
Ogakwu emphasized that the coalition’s position is not driven by political motives but by the need to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He noted that Nigeria has in the past witnessed cases where public officials, judges and academics faced disciplinary action or were forced to resign over falsification of records or ethical violations, stressing that the principle of accountability must apply equally to all citizens regardless of their position.
“For too long, Nigerians have demanded transparency and integrity from their leaders,” he said. “Public officials must demonstrate the highest standards of probity because the example they set shapes the conduct of future generations.”
The coalition concluded that it will continue to monitor the situation closely while engaging relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is addressed in accordance with the law and the principles of democratic governance.
