A coalition of civil society organisations, under the auspices of the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG), has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to step aside pending investigations into alleged perjury, false representation, and contradiction between his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Bar certificates.
The coalition at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, raised questions about the constitutional and legal propriety of Hon. Kalu continuing to occupy the second-highest office in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
President of CSGGG, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, detailed what he described as a “statutorily impossible” feat achieved by the Deputy Speaker.
The coalition reminded the public of past instances where high-ranking ministers and judges were removed for similar indiscretions, insisting that no individual is above the 1999 Constitution.
“We are duty-bound to demand the highest probity from those we call our leaders. To expect less is to set a dangerous example for the youths of this country. We will occupy the National Assembly if, after 72 hours, the various authorities do not act”, Ogakwu said.
According to him, the coalition would “occupy” the National Assembly National Assembly if the deputy speaker fails to step down or provide clarity on how he allegedly completed the National Youth Service Corps NYSC programme and the Nigerian Law School simultaneously against extant provisions.
The CSGGG said records indicate that Kalu, then known as Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, was enrolled in the Nigerian Law School between 2010 and 2011.
He said, “During this period, he allegedly swore an oath on April 23, 2010, affirming that he would not engage in any employment or participate in the NYSC during his course of study.”
However, the coalition pointed to NYSC Discharge Certificate No. A001773067, purportedly issued to Kalu on March 8, 2011, covering a service year that ran concurrently with his legal training.
“Only one of two scenarios can apply. Either he did not participate fully in the NYSC service year, or he never attended the Nigerian Law School to qualify for the Bar. We demand clarity and accountability from Kalu himself, the NYSC, and the Council of Legal Education,” Ogakwu said.
The coalition expressed worry over the “silence” of relevant authorities and issued a series of demands to restore the integrity of the office of the Deputy Speaker.
They insisted that Kalu must step aside pending the determination of these allegations to protect the image of the No. 6 citizen’s office he currently occupies.
Furthermore, the coalition urged NYSC to come clean on Kalu’s service record and explain the authenticity of the discharge certificate in his possession.
In addition to the NYSC records, the groups urged the “Council of Legal Education to provide proof of Kalu’s 70% attendance record during his time at the Law School.”
The coalition said that if he is found in breach of his oath, his Call to Bar certificate should be withdrawn immediately.
He said, “Rt. Hon. Kalu swore on oath as required by the NYSC Act Section 2(3) that he will engage in a continuous one-year national service. We therefore wonder how “statutorily possible” it was for him to engage in any lawful endeavor such as the Law School and partake in full-time academic training at the same time. Fishy!
“It is also instructive to note that under the Nigerian Law School Policy, a very strict policy at that, students are prohibited from serving as corps members during their period of study.
“You may wish to note that our Dear Deputy Speaker, was admitted into the Nigerian Law School under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before effecting a change of name, three times actually has he changed his name, solemnly declared on April 23, 2010 that he was not and would not engage in employment or participate in the NYSC during his course of study.
“From available records, he swore as follows; “I, Mr. Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu of 76 Factory Road, Umuahia, Abia State hereby declare on my honour that I am not and will not be engaged in any employment nor serve in the National Youth Service Corps during the period of my course at the Nigerian Law School.”
Ogakwu alongside others leaders of the coalition said that only one of two scenarios can apply: either he (Kalu) did not participate fully in the NYSC Service Year, or he never attended the Nigerian Law School to qualify him to be enrolled into the Bar.
He said, ” It is this reason we demand for clarity and accountability from Kalu himself, the NYSC and the Nigerian Law School and Council of Legal Education.
It is a trite matter that no individual is bigger or more important than the laws of our country, especially the Constitution.
“For too long have we allowed people with tainted records to occupy high and important offices. We should remind you of our recent history where ministers have been forced to resign, judges have been sanctioned and sent packing over their indiscretions and abuse of records, professors have been dismissed from their posts for falsifying records and engaging in plagiarism.
” So, it doesn’t not matter whether anybody is the No. 6 Citizen of the Federal Republic.
“Our prayers are simple: Let Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu step aside pending the determination of these allegations. He occupies too grave an office for any taint to be associated with the occupant.
“Nigeria is an important country not just on the continent but across the world and should not have individuals with any semblance of questionable characters occupying such an office.
“Let the NYSC come clean on Mr. Kalu’s Service Year record. Did he actually participate in the compulsory national service? If yes, how? If not, how did he come about the discharge certificate he possesses?
“The Nigerian Law School and Council of Legal Education should avail the public of their records showing the full participation of Mr. Kalu in over 70% of activities as required by its rules. And if in breach of the oath, his Call to Bar Certificate should be withdrawn forthwith as it falls short of the high demands of probity, truthfulness and fidelity to the law as expected of law practitioners.
“At present, a senior lawyer of the Tali Shani fame is facing his day in court as it ought, so, this is no exception.
“Mr. Kalu himself should demonstrate the moral high ground by showing proof that he actually didn’t combine both programs simultaneously. And if he didn’t should explain the certificates he possesses.”
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