The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed allegations raised by a coalition of civil society organisations regarding his participation in the National Youth Service Corps and his attendance at the Nigerian Law School.
In a statement issued on March 6, the Deputy Speaker’s office described the claims as unproven and politically motivated, noting that they originated from a petition that has not been substantiated or determined by any competent authority.
The response followed a press conference organised by a coalition led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance, which called for investigations into Kalu’s academic and service records.
According to the statement, Kalu remains a duly qualified legal practitioner whose professional credentials have undergone verification at different stages of his career. It recalled that the lawmaker was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The office stressed that the process of admission to the Bar is supervised by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School, which conduct rigorous verification of academic and statutory requirements before candidates are admitted.
“Since his call to the Bar, no competent legal authority has invalidated his qualification or professional status,” the statement said.
The controversy, according to the Deputy Speaker’s office, stems from a petition reportedly written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association requesting that the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the National Youth Service Corps examine aspects of Kalu’s records.
However, the statement emphasised that the existence of a petition does not constitute proof of wrongdoing, warning against attempts to convict individuals in the court of public opinion.
The office also accused some groups of promoting speculation and misinformation, describing the allegations as premature and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process.
It further noted that some civic organisations have cautioned against politicising the matter, suggesting that the narrative could be part of a coordinated attempt to damage the reputation of the Deputy Speaker.
According to the statement, similar accusations were raised during political contests in 2023 but were dismissed in legal proceedings after Kalu affirmed the authenticity of his credentials.
The Deputy Speaker’s office maintained that he has never forged or falsified any official document and remains confident in the integrity of Nigerian institutions.
It also stressed that Kalu would cooperate fully with any competent authority should clarification or documentation be required.
The statement warned that calls for the Deputy Speaker to step aside based on unverified claims could create a dangerous precedent that encourages politically motivated petitions against public officials.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the office said Kalu remains focused on his legislative responsibilities, including reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and promoting national development.
The statement urged the public to disregard attempts to politicise the issue and allow relevant authorities to handle any petition through established institutional processes.
