The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is under fresh scrutiny following petitions to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), questioning the validity of his Bar enrolment and the authenticity of his national service participation.
The file allegations, made available to ENigeria Newspaper, centre on claims that Kalu allegedly combined his NYSC service year with attendance at the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus — a move the petitioner contends violates both the Legal Practitioners Act and the NYSC Act. If substantiated, the overlap could call into question Kalu’s eligibility to practise law and his adherence to statutory requirements.
Former NBA First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, filed the petitions, describing Kalu’s actions as “fraudulent enrolment” on the Roll of Legal Practitioners maintained at the Supreme Court. According to Aikpokpo-Martins, Kalu’s NYSC service reportedly ran from March 9, 2010, to March 8, 2011, while he simultaneously attended law school from April 23, 2010, to July 1, 2011 — a period he argues is “statutorily impossible” under Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act.
In his affidavit to the LPDC, Aikpokpo-Martins cited that Kalu had declared on admission to the Nigerian Law School, under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, that he would not engage in employment or participate in NYSC during his studies. Yet, the petitioner claims the NYSC discharge certificate indicates continuous participation within the same period, potentially violating both statutory requirements and Law School regulations mandating full-time attendance.
Kalu, who was called to the Nigerian Bar on September 6, 2011, and enrolled with Supreme Court number SCN/078630, now faces questions over whether he fulfilled the minimum 70% attendance required for Bar certification. The petitioner contends that if Kalu misrepresented his status to gain Law School admission, it could affect his character and fitness to practise law.
The petitions urge the LPDC to launch a formal investigation and, if warranted, impose sanctions under Section 11(1)(c) of the Legal Practitioners Act. Separately, Aikpokpo-Martins called on the NYSC Director-General to revoke Kalu’s Certificate of National Service (No. A001773067) and prosecute him under Sections 13(1)(b), 13(3), and 13(4) of the NYSC Act, which carry penalties for failing to serve a continuous year or making false declarations.
Aikpokpo-Martins also signaled plans to subpoena records from both the NYSC and Nigerian Law School, including call-up letters, attendance registers, payment records, and discharge documents, to verify claims of simultaneous participation in both programs.
The matter has sparked debate among legal professionals about professional integrity and statutory compliance. Senior lawyers caution that while the allegations are serious, they remain unproven until tested before the relevant authorities. They noted that the NYSC’s requirement of continuous service is strictly enforced, and any verified breach could have significant consequences.
As at press time, Kalu has not publicly responded to the allegations. The NYSC and LPDC have yet to confirm whether formal investigations have begun. The unfolding case is drawing attention to the importance of integrity, transparency, and adherence to statutory obligations among public office holders, and it may become one of the most closely scrutinised professional cases involving a high-ranking Nigerian lawmaker in recent years.
