Civil Societies Refuse to Back Down Amidst Legal Tribunal's Decision on Deputy Speaker's Alleged Diploma Forgery

A coalition of civil society groups, known as the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance, has disputed claims that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee dismissed a petition involving certificate fraud allegations against Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

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The coalition's president, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, described the purported dismissal as a "pyrrhic reprieve" in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, emphasizing that the LPDC did not clear Kalu of the allegations, but rather ruled that the issues fell outside its jurisdiction.

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The core of the petition, according to the group, revolves around whether Kalu participated in the National Youth Service Corps scheme while undergoing training at the Nigerian Law School, which could potentially contravene the NYSC Act and Law School requirements.

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Ogakwu pointed out that the timeline on Kalu's NYSC discharge certificate and his Call to the Bar suggests a possible contravention of the NYSC Act and Law School requirements, raising questions about the legitimacy of his credentials.

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The coalition argued that it is misleading to claim that the LPDC dismissed the allegations of certificate fraud and perjury against Kalu, when in fact the committee simply stated that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

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Chief Ogakwu questioned whether Kalu provided false information to the Nigerian Law School, the NYSC, and the Body of Benchers to obtain his credentials and subsequent enrollment as a legal practitioner, noting that these questions remain unanswered despite the LPDC's ruling.

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The coalition drew parallels to previous high-profile cases, citing the resignations of former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and the challenges faced by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who were both embroiled in certificate controversies.

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The group expressed its determination to pursue the matter further, stating that the LPDC's decision to decline jurisdiction would not mark the end of the inquiry into Kalu's credentials.

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The coalition announced plans to approach other relevant bodies and organize a protest at the National Assembly to demand accountability, emphasizing that no officeholder is above scrutiny and that the LPDC's decision would not be the final word on the matter.