Ex-NBA president Aikpokpo-Martins seeks probe of Deputy Speaker Kalu over NYSC, Law School certificates
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, has formally petitioned the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee, (LPDC), against Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives challenging the validity of his enrolment as a legal practitioner and the authenticity of his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In the petition dated 20th,January , 2026, and filed same date, Mr Aikpokpo-Martins is urging the LPDC to investigate what he described as a “fraudulent enrolment” of Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on the Roll of Legal Practitioners kept at the Supreme Court. He urged the disciplinary body to investigate the allegations and impose appropriate sanctions under Section 11(1)(c) of the Legal Practitioners Act if the claims are proven.
Simultaneously, in a letter dated 20th January 2026 and filed on February 9, 2026 to the NYSC Director-General, he called for the withdrawal of Certificate of National Service No. A001773067 reportedly issued to Kalu on March 8, 2011.
He also demanded the prosecution of the Deputy Speaker under Sections 13(1)(b), 13(3) and 13(4) of the NYSC Act, which prescribe penalties including fines and imprisonment for failure to serve continuously for one year or for making false statements in relation to the scheme.
In separate petitions to the LPDC and the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Aikpokpo-Martins alleged that Kalu unlawfully combined his NYSC service year with attendance at the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus. He contends that the act contravenes both the Legal Practitioners Act and the NYSC Act.
ALLEGED DOUBLE PARTICIPATION
He claimed in the petition that Kalu was mobilised for NYSC from March 9, 2010 to March 8, 2011, but simultaneously attended the Nigerian Law School between April 23, 2010 and July 1, 2011.
According to the former first Vice President of NBA, Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act mandates a continuous one-year national service, making it “statutorily impossible” for a corps member to lawfully engage in full-time academic training at the same time.
He further cited what he described as a strict policy of the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education prohibiting students from serving as corps members during their period of study.
In an affidavit deposed to before the LPDC, Aikpokpo-Martins averred that Kalu, who was admitted into the Nigerian Law School under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before effecting a change of name, solemnly declared on April 23, 2010 that he was not and would not engage in employment or participate in the NYSC during his course of study.
The petitioner maintained that documentary evidence — including the NYSC discharge certificate allegedly issued to Kalu, shows that he continuously participated in the service year within the same period.
He stated that Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar on September 6, 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner at the Supreme Court with enrolment number SCN/078630.
Aikpokpo-Martins stated that the circumstances surrounding the alleged overlap raise fundamental questions about whether the Deputy Speaker met the mandatory 70 per cent attendance requirement of the Nigerian Law School which is a prerequisite for certification and call to Bar.
“It is either he did not attend the Nigerian Law School as required, or he did not lawfully participate in the NYSC for a continuous period of one year,” the petitioner argued.
He further argued that a false declaration made to secure admission into the Law School, if established, would cast doubt on the respondent’s character and fitness to practise law, noting that good character is a condition precedent for admission to the Bar. He stressed
that the matter transcends partisan considerations, arguing that the high office occupied by Kalu requires strict adherence to the rule of law.
“The exalted position he presently occupies must showcase the highest standards of integrity, transparency and adherence to the law,” he stated.
In order to establish his claims, Aikpokpo-Martins offered to apply for subpoenas compelling the Director-General of the NYSC and the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School to produce official records, including call-up letters, attendance registers, payment records and discharge documents of the Respondent.
He maintained that such records would conclusively establish whether there was indeed a simultaneous participation in both programmes.
This development has triggered debate within legal circles over the sanctity of professional standards and the integrity of Nigeria’s youth service scheme.
Commenting on the alleged development some senior lawyers noted that the LPDC has the jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct, including fraudulent enrolment, if properly established.
“If there was any misrepresentation in securing admission to the Law School or participation in the NYSC, it is a serious issue. But it must be proven with credible evidence,” a senior advocate said.
However, the LPDC and the NYSC are yet to publicly indicate whether formal investigations have commenced on the petition.
