The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has rejected allegations suggesting irregularities in his participation in the National Youth Service Corps and his attendance at the Nigerian Law School.
The claims were raised on Friday in Abuja during a press conference by a coalition led by the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), which questioned aspects of the Deputy Speaker’s NYSC service and his legal education credentials.
Responding to the accusations, Kalu described the claims as unsubstantiated, stressing that they stem from a petition that has neither been proven nor determined by any competent authority. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker maintained that he remains a qualified legal practitioner and respected public official whose credentials have undergone scrutiny at several points in his career.
“It is important to recall that Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a process governed by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School with rigorous verification of academic and statutory requirements.
“At no time since his call to the Bar has any competent legal authority invalidated his qualification or professional status. Recent media reports indicate that the current controversy stems from a petition written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association requesting that the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) examine aspects of the Deputy Speaker’s academic and service records.
“The mere existence of a petition does not amount to proof of wrongdoing, and it would be deeply irresponsible to attempt to convict any individual in the court of public opinion.
“The coalition’s attempt to present speculation as established fact is therefore premature, misleading, and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process which civil society organisations themselves claim to defend,” the statement read.
The statement further emphasized that the Deputy Speaker has never falsified credentials or forged official records. It noted that similar allegations surfaced during political contests in 2023 but were dismissed during legal proceedings where he affirmed the authenticity of his qualifications.
“It is therefore troubling that some groups have chosen to recycle unverified allegations at a time when the Deputy Speaker is deeply engaged in national legislative responsibilities.”
According to the statement, the Deputy Speaker has full confidence in Nigeria’s institutions and is willing to cooperate with any lawful investigation if required.
“The Deputy Speaker has absolute confidence in the integrity of Nigerian institutions. Should any competent authority request clarification or documentation, he will fully cooperate as a law-abiding citizen.
“Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. Allegations must be investigated by appropriate authorities rather than adjudicated through press conferences and media trials.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu remains fully committed to his responsibilities as Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament, focusing on legislative reforms, national development, and strengthening democratic institutions.
“It must also be stressed that calls for the Deputy Speaker to ‘step aside’ based solely on unverified claims set a dangerous precedent, one that could encourage politically motivated petitions against public officials as a tool of destabilisation.
“Public office holders must remain accountable, but accountability must operate within the framework of law, evidence, and due process, not media sensationalism.
“The Deputy Speaker therefore urges members of the public to disregard attempts to politicise the issue and to allow relevant statutory bodies, if they deem it necessary, to examine any petition placed before them. Nigeria’s democracy is strengthened not by speculation or character assassination, but by adherence to truth, fairness, and institutional processes.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu will continue to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people.”
