A socio-political pressure group operating under the banner of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has called for an immediate and independent investigation into allegations concerning the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participation and Nigerian Law School records of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
In a statement issued in Abuja and jointly signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, the coalition urged the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to undertake a transparent and independent probe into issues raised in a petition challenging the Deputy Speaker’s enrolment as a legal practitioner. The group also demanded that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) conduct a comprehensive verification of all relevant service records and publicly release its findings.
The petition in question was reportedly filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, who wrote separately to the LPDC and the NYSC requesting a review of records relating to Kalu’s attendance at the Nigerian Law School and his NYSC service year.
According to COSEYL, the allegations — which question the validity of the Deputy Speaker’s admission to the Roll of Legal Practitioners and the authenticity of his NYSC participation — are weighty and implicate the institutional integrity of the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education, and the NYSC scheme.
The group maintained that the issues raised must neither be trivialised nor politicised, stressing that public confidence in the rule of law and professional regulatory standards demands a thorough and impartial inquiry. It further advised that, given the high constitutional office occupied by the Deputy Speaker, he should step aside pending the outcome of investigations in order to preserve the appearance of neutrality and prevent any perception of undue influence.
COSEYL warned that any attempt to obstruct or suppress a fair investigation would trigger lawful and peaceful civic action aimed at ensuring accountability. It reaffirmed that any such mobilisation would be conducted strictly within constitutional and democratic parameters.
The coalition concluded that the preservation of institutional credibility must supersede individual status, insisting that no public office holder is above the law.
