By Ayodele Oni
A Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a leading youth socio-political group in the South-East, has asked Dr Benjamin Kalu to step aside as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, following allegations of his questionable discharge certificate of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) and Nigerian Lawyer School records.
The coalition also demanded for fresh independent investigation into allegations linked to his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Law School records.
In a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, the group called for a transparent probe by the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
COSEYL pointed out that the allegations raised serious questions about the Deputy Speaker’s enrolment as a legal practitioner and his participation in the NYSC scheme.
The group insisted that the issues must be treated with urgency and openness in order to protect the credibility of key national institutions.
The statement reads:
“The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone has taken serious note of the petition filed by Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), before the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) concerning allegations against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
“The allegations, which question the validity of the Deputy Speaker’s enrolment as a legal practitioner and the authenticity of his participation in the NYSC scheme, are grave and touch on the integrity of key national institutions, including the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education, and the NYSC.
“COSEYL states clearly that these allegations must not be ignored, politicised, or swept under the carpet.
” The integrity of our institutions is bigger than any individual, no matter how highly placed. Public confidence in the rule of law, professional standards, and the credibility of the NYSC scheme must be protected at all costs.
“We, therefore, call for immediate, transparent, and independent investigation by the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) into the issues raised in the petition.
“A thorough probe by the NYSC authorities to ascertain the authenticity of all relevant records. The public release of findings upon conclusion of the investigations.
“Given the high office occupied by the Deputy Speaker, COSEYL strongly advises that he steps aside from his position pending the outcome of these investigations.
“This is not a declaration of guilt, but a necessary step to ensure that the process is free from any perception of interference or undue influence.
”In advanced democracies, public officials temporarily relinquish their offices when serious allegations arise in order to preserve the sanctity of the institutions they serve. Nigeria should not be an exception.
“We wish to emphasize that our position is guided solely by the need to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. This matter transcends partisan politics and regional considerations.
”However, should there be any attempt to frustrate or suppress a fair investigation, COSEYL will be left with no option but to mobilize lawful and peaceful civic actions to demand accountability.”
The group further stressed that any action taken would remain lawful and peaceful. It concluded that no individual should be placed above the law under any circumstance.
The controversy stems from a petition written by former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins, to both the LPDC and NYSC.
In separate letters, he requested a review of records linked to Kalu’s time at the Nigerian Law School and his NYSC service year.
He asked the authorities to determine whether all statutory requirements were met before Kalu was admitted to the Roll of Legal Practitioners at the Supreme Court.
The petition also raised concerns about information obtained from publicly available records relating to the Deputy Speaker’s professional history.
So far, no official response has been issued by the Deputy Speaker on the matter.
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