A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to immediately step aside from office over allegations of perjury, certificate fraud, and contradictions in his academic and service records.
At a World Press Conference in Abuja on Friday, the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), leading a coalition of allied groups, issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Deputy Speaker, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Law School to clarify discrepancies regarding his service year and legal education.
Addressing journalists, the President of CSGGG, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, stated that the coalition was not necessarily imputing a crime but seeking clarity on how Kalu could have legitimately participated in two mutually exclusive programs simultaneously.
The coalition’s concerns center on two conflicting oaths sworn by the Deputy Speaker. Records indicate that Kalu swore an oath to participate in a continuous one-year national service under the NYSC Act. Concurrently, he allegedly swore an affidavit at the Nigerian Law School, under his former name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, declaring that he would not be engaged in any employment or serve in the NYSC during his course of study.
“If he swore on oath twice, the germane question is: How did he come by his NYSC Discharge Certificate issued on March 8, 2011 and at the same time of March 9, 2010 to March 8, 2011 when he was supposedly at the Law School?” Chief Ogakwu queried.
The CSOs argued that only two scenarios are possible: either Kalu did not fully participate in the NYSC scheme, or he never properly attended the Law School to qualify for the Bar.
They noted that the Nigerian Law School maintains a strict policy barring students from serving as corps members during their studies.
“We 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!” the statement read.
The coalition emphasized that no individual is above the Constitution, referencing past instances where public officials were sanctioned for record falsification.
“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… so, it doesn’t matter whether anybody is the No. 6 Citizen of the Federal Republic,” Ogakwu added.
The CSGGG presented a four-point demand:
- For Kalu: To immediately step aside pending the determination of the allegations, and to provide proof clarifying how he obtained his certificates.
- For the NYSC: To make public Kalu’s service records and confirm whether he fully participated in the mandatory national service.
- For the Nigerian Law School and Council of Legal Education: To release records showing Kalu’s participation and, if found in breach of his oath, to withdraw his Call to Bar Certificate.
- For the Public: To uphold the highest standards of probity for leaders, warning against setting a dangerous example for Nigerian youth.
The coalition warned that if the relevant authorities fail to act within 72 hours, they would mobilize to occupy the National Assembly in protest.
“We are committed to following this to the latter and will occupy the NASS if after 72 hours the various authorities do not act,” Chief Ogakwu concluded.
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