By George Ozalla
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has rejected claims by a coalition of civil society groups suggesting irregularities in his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participation and attendance at the Nigerian Law School. The coalition, led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG), had raised the allegations during a recent press conference.
According to a press statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, the allegations remain unproven and stem from a petition that has not been substantiated or reviewed by any competent authority. The statement emphasized that Kalu is a duly qualified legal practitioner, having been called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and enrolled under the supervision of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School, institutions that verify academic and statutory requirements rigorously.
The statement further explained that the petition prompting the controversy, submitted by a former Nigerian Bar Association official requesting scrutiny from the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the NYSC, does not constitute proof of wrongdoing. According to the press statement, the Deputy Speaker has never had any professional qualification invalidated, and attempts to convict an individual in the court of public opinion are deeply irresponsible.
Citing the statement, the office noted that independent civic organizations and youth groups have confirmed the validity of Kalu’s NYSC certificate and cautioned against politicizing the matter. The statement described the circulation of speculative claims as misleading and politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of a national public official.
The press statement also underlined the Deputy Speaker’s continued commitment to national service, legislative reforms, and strengthening democratic institutions. It rejected calls for him to step aside based solely on unverified claims, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for the use of politically motivated petitions against public officials. The statement urged the public to allow statutory bodies to investigate petitions properly, emphasizing that accountability must operate within the framework of law and evidence rather than media speculation or character attacks.
