A storm is gathering around the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, after allegations surfaced challenging both his legal qualifications and the authenticity of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participation.
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, has formally petitioned the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), urging an investigation into what he calls the “fraudulent enrolment” of Kalu on the Roll of Legal Practitioners at the Supreme Court.
Central to the petition is the claim that Kalu was mobilised for NYSC from March 9, 2010, to March 8, 2011, while simultaneously attending the Nigerian Law School between April 23, 2010, and July 1, 2011. Aikpokpo-Martins alleges that this overlap violates both the Legal Practitioners Act and the NYSC Act.
In detailed correspondences to the LPDC and the NYSC Director-General, Aikpokpo-Martins argued that Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act requires a continuous one-year service, making it “statutorily impossible” for a corps member to pursue full-time academic training concurrently. He also cited strict Nigerian Law School policies prohibiting students from serving in the NYSC during their studies.
Documents attached to the petition show that Kalu, initially admitted to the Law School under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, declared on April 23, 2010, that he would not participate in NYSC or engage in employment during his studies. Yet, Aikpokpo-Martins contends that Kalu’s NYSC discharge certificate indicates full participation from September 3, 2010, to August 3, 2011—overlapping with his Law School attendance.
The petitioner questioned whether Kalu met the mandatory 70% attendance requirement for certification and call to the Bar, emphasizing that a false declaration to secure admission would cast doubt on his character and fitness to practice law.
Citing multiple provisions of the NYSC Act, Aikpokpo-Martins highlighted potential breaches, including failure to serve continuously for a year and making false statements—offences punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Supporting evidence submitted with the petition includes affidavits documenting Kalu’s name changes, Law School registration and certification forms, Call to Bar certificate, and NYSC service certificate. The petitioner also plans to subpoena official records from both the NYSC and the Nigerian Law School to conclusively establish whether Kalu participated in both programs simultaneously.
The controversy has sparked debate in legal circles over professional integrity and compliance with statutory requirements. Senior lawyers noted that the LPDC has the authority to investigate professional misconduct allegations but stressed that the claims remain unproven until examined by the appropriate authorities.
As of now, Kalu has not publicly responded, and both the NYSC and LPDC have yet to indicate whether formal investigations have begun. The unfolding case highlights the complex intersection of public office, professional ethics, and statutory compliance—and underscores the critical importance of transparency for high-ranking officials.
For Aikpokpo-Martins, the matter is straightforward: no institution should ignore allegations that question the integrity of public figures. Whether the LPDC and NYSC act swiftly—and what they ultimately uncover—remains to be seen.
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