A coalition of civil society groups has called on the Council of Legal Education to remain steadfast and conclude its investigation into the law school qualifying certificate of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. The group, the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), commended the Council for setting up an investigative committee and urged it to resist pressure from legal objections raised by Kalu's lawyers.
Background of the Probe
The Council of Legal Education established a three-member ad hoc committee on April 17, 2026, to examine allegations against Kalu. A follow-up letter on April 21, 2026, directed the Deputy Speaker to submit a written response within seven days. The petition involves allegations of perjury, false representation, and discrepancies between Kalu's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate and his Nigerian Law School records. The core issue is the timeline of his NYSC service relative to his Law School enrollment.
Legal Team's Response
Kalu's solicitors, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, responded on April 28, 2026, arguing that the petition is legally deficient and should be dismissed. They claimed there is no evidence of criminal conduct, the petition relies on an unsworn declaration, and no law explicitly prohibits simultaneous participation in NYSC and Law School programs. The legal team also contended that the Council lacks statutory authority to withdraw or cancel a qualifying certificate once issued, asserting that such action would require strict compliance with constitutional safeguards under Sections 36(8) and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution.
Coalition's Position
The CSGGG maintained that Kalu is entitled to legal representation but emphasized that the Council retains sufficient powers under the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act to investigate allegations related to the procurement of qualifying certificates. The group expressed concern that the legal response focused on challenging jurisdiction rather than addressing the substance of the allegations, warning that technical arguments should not derail the process. It also raised concerns about reports that Kalu may seek a court injunction to halt the probe, describing this as an attempt to frustrate a statutory process. The coalition called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly reaffirm that no public official is above institutional scrutiny.
Council's Stance
The Council has declined public comments on the matter. Its Secretary and Director of Administration, Ms. Aderonke O. Osho, confirmed that a letter was sent to Kalu but noted the process would be handled internally. She declined to state whether a response had been received before the deadline. Kalu has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and remains enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, maintaining that no competent authority has invalidated his qualification or professional standing.
