• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

ABUJA - The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has denied allegations of irregularities in his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service and attendance at the Nigerian Law School, dismissing claims by a coalition of civil society organisations as unproven and politically coloured. In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker's office said the allegations were based on a petition that has neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority. "The allegations being circulated remain unproven claims arising from a petition that has neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority," the statement said. The rebuttal followed a press conference by a coalition of civil society organisations which raised concerns over alleged inconsistencies in Kalu's academic and NYSC records and called on relevant authorities to provide clarification. The group had urged the Nigerian Law School, the NYSC and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to investigate what it described as unresolved questions surrounding the Deputy Speaker's service year and legal training. However, Kalu's office insisted that the mere existence of a petition does not amount to proof of wrongdoing. "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 statement said. The office maintained that the Deputy Speaker remains a duly qualified legal practitioner whose credentials have undergone several layers of verification. "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," the statement said. "At no time since his call to the Bar has any competent legal authority invalidated his qualification or professional status." The Deputy Speaker's office further described attempts to portray the allegations as established facts as misleading and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process. "The coalition's attempt to present speculation as established fact is premature, misleading and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process which civil society organisations themselves claim to defend," the statement added. According to the statement, some civic voices have also cautioned against politicising the issue, describing the controversy as part of an attempt to damage the Deputy Speaker's reputation. "Several independent voices and civic organisations have already cautioned against the politicisation of the matter, describing the ongoing narrative as part of a coordinated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation of a rising national figure," it said. The office also stressed that the Deputy Speaker had never forged any credentials or falsified official records. "For emphasis, the Deputy Speaker has never forged any credentials or falsified any official record," the statement noted. It further recalled that similar allegations surfaced during political contests in 2023 but were dismissed in legal proceedings where the Deputy Speaker affirmed the authenticity of his credentials. Reaffirming Kalu's confidence in Nigerian institutions, the statement said he would cooperate fully with any legitimate inquiry. "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," it stated. The office also rejected what it described as attempts to pressure public institutions through protests or ultimatums. "The Office rejects the attempt by certain groups to issue ultimatums and threats of protests as a means of coercing public institutions or forcing political outcomes," the statement added. It emphasised that calls for the Deputy Speaker to step aside based solely on unverified allegations could set a dangerous precedent in Nigeria's democratic system. "Public office holders must remain accountable, but accountability must operate within the framework of law, evidence and due process, not media sensationalism," the statement said. The Deputy Speaker's office urged members of the public to allow relevant statutory bodies to address any petition through established institutional processes. "Nigeria's democracy is strengthened not by speculation or character assassination, but by adherence to truth, fairness and institutional processes," the statement concluded. Source: https://independent.ng/kalu-denies-nysc-law-school-irregularities/