By Mercy Adi
A parliamentary advocacy group, the Parliamentary Advocacy Network (PAN), has commended the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing a petition against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, over alleged irregularities relating to his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and attendance at the Nigerian Law School.
The LPDC had on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by a lawyer, John Aikpokpo Martins, which alleged that Kalu undertook his NYSC while simultaneously attending the Nigerian Law School.
In its ruling, the committee held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker, noting that there was no basis to invite or further investigate him over the allegations.
Reacting to the verdict on Thursday, PAN, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Amb. Anderson Osiebe, praised the disciplinary body for what it described as a professional and patriotic handling of the matter.
According to the group, the panel deserved commendation for refusing to “indulge traducers and blackmailers” allegedly seeking to distract the Deputy Speaker from his legislative responsibilities.
“The panel deserves commendation for not indulging the traducers and blackmailers of the Deputy Speaker, whose ulterior motive was to distract a fine lawmaker who is making Nigeria proud internationally,” the statement read.
PAN also criticised the petitioner and a group known as Abia Patriots, accusing them of promoting what it described as unfounded narratives against Kalu on social media.
The group warned against attempts to distract public office holders with what it called frivolous allegations and online attacks.
Osiebe said political stakeholders in Abia State should instead take pride in Kalu’s position, describing him as the highest-ranking political office holder from the South-East geopolitical zone.
He further alleged that the activities of the Abia Patriots suggested links with the Abia State Government, claiming the group’s social media engagements were largely centred on promoting the state governor while attacking the Deputy Speaker.
PAN urged members of the group and their associates to channel their energy into constructive activities rather than engaging in what it termed political blackmail.
The group also congratulated Kalu on the LPDC’s decision and advised him not to pursue legal action against the petitioner or others involved in the matter.
It urged the Deputy Speaker to forgive his critics in the spirit of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim Ramadan fast currently being observed across the country.