Deputy Speaker Kalu Breaks Silence on NYSC, Law School Allegations, Dismisses Claims as ‘Unproven Smear Campaign’
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (Nigeria), Benjamin Okezie Kalu has strongly rebutted allegations regarding his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and attendance at the Nigerian Law School, describing the claims as speculative, unproven and part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
In a statement issued on March 6 by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker’s office said it was compelled to respond to claims raised at a press conference by a coalition led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG), which questioned aspects of Kalu’s academic and service records.
The statement maintained that the allegations stem from a petition that has not been substantiated or determined by any competent authority, stressing that the Deputy Speaker remains a qualified legal practitioner whose credentials have undergone multiple verifications throughout his career.
According to the statement, Kalu was formally called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a process supervised by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School with strict verification procedures.
“At no time since his call to the Bar has any competent legal authority invalidated his qualification or professional status,” the statement said.
The office noted that the controversy appears to have been triggered by a petition reportedly written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association asking the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the NYSC to review aspects of the Deputy Speaker’s records.
However, it emphasized that the existence of a petition does not constitute proof of wrongdoing and warned against what it described as attempts to convict individuals in the “court of public opinion.”
The Deputy Speaker’s office further accused the coalition of presenting speculation as established facts, arguing that such actions undermine the principles of fairness and due process that civil society organisations are expected to uphold.
It added that some independent civic voices have cautioned against politicising the issue, describing the allegations as part of a coordinated attempt to damage the reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has emerged as a prominent national political figure.
According to the statement, a youth organisation had also noted that there is no verified official report indicting Kalu and that previous verification exercises confirmed the authenticity of his NYSC certificate.
The office also recalled that similar allegations surfaced during political contests ahead of the 2023 elections but were dismissed in legal proceedings, during which the Deputy Speaker affirmed the authenticity of his credentials.
Reaffirming its position, the office stressed that Kalu has never forged any academic or professional document.
It also outlined four key positions on the controversy, including respect for due process, the presumption of innocence, rejection of what it termed political blackmail, and the Deputy Speaker’s continued commitment to national service.
The statement warned that calls for Kalu to step aside based solely on unverified allegations could set a dangerous precedent capable of encouraging politically motivated petitions against public officials.
“Public office holders must remain accountable, but accountability must operate within the framework of law, evidence and due process not media sensationalism,” the statement said.
The office urged Nigerians to disregard attempts to politicise the matter and allow relevant statutory bodies to examine any petition if necessary.
It reaffirmed that Kalu would continue to discharge his duties with integrity and dedication to national development and the strengthening of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
