By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed allegations regarding his participation in the National Youth Service Corps and attendance at the Nigerian Law School, describing the claims as unproven and politically motivated.
A coalition led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance had earlier raised concerns about the Deputy Speaker’s academic and service records during a press conference.
But in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker’s office said the allegations were based on a petition that had not been substantiated or determined by any competent authority.
The statement noted that Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria after meeting the requirements of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School.
It added that no legal authority had at any time invalidated his professional qualification.
According to the statement, the controversy followed a petition reportedly written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association asking the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the National Youth Service Corps to examine aspects of the Deputy Speaker’s academic and service records.
“The mere existence of a petition does not amount to proof of wrongdoing, and it would be deeply irresponsible to attempt to convict any individual in the court of public opinion,” the statement read.
The office also accused some groups of presenting speculation as established fact, describing such claims as misleading and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process.
It further stated that similar allegations were raised during the 2023 political contests but were dismissed in legal proceedings where the Deputy Speaker affirmed the authenticity of his credentials.
The Deputy Speaker’s office stressed that he had never forged any certificate or falsified official records.
It added that Kalu remained confident in the integrity of Nigerian institutions and would cooperate with any lawful request for clarification by relevant authorities.
The statement also rejected calls by some groups for the Deputy Speaker to step aside, describing such demands as premature and based on unverified claims.
According to the statement, the lawmaker will continue to focus on his legislative responsibilities and national development.