Kalu denies certificate forgery, says allegations politically motivated
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has denied allegations that he forged his academic credentials, describing the claims as politically motivated and unproven.
Kalu made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, in response to allegations raised by a coalition of civil society groups concerning his participation in the National Youth Service Corps and attendance at the Nigerian Law School.
The coalition, led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance, had earlier alleged irregularities in the Deputy Speaker’s NYSC service record and legal training, threatening to occupy the National Assembly within 72 hours if authorities failed to act on the matter.
Responding, the Deputy Speaker’s office said the allegations were based on a petition that had neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority.
“For emphasis, the Deputy Speaker has never forged any credentials or falsified any official record,” the statement read.
It added that the allegations being circulated were “unproven claims arising from a petition that has neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority.”
The statement stressed that Kalu remains a qualified legal practitioner whose professional credentials had undergone several layers of verification throughout his career.
“It is important to recall that Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a process governed by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School with rigorous verification of academic and statutory requirements,” the statement said.
The Deputy Speaker’s office further stated that no legal authority had at any time invalidated his qualifications since his call to the bar.
“At no time since his call to the Bar has any competent legal authority invalidated his qualification or professional status,” the statement added.
The controversy followed a petition reportedly written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association requesting that the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the NYSC examine aspects of Kalu’s academic and service records.
However, the Deputy Speaker’s office argued that the existence of a petition did not amount to proof of wrongdoing.
“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 said.
The statement also described the allegations as part of a coordinated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the Deputy Speaker’s reputation.
“Several independent voices and civic organisations have already cautioned against the politicisation of the matter, describing the ongoing narrative as part of a coordinated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation of a rising national figure,” it stated.
It added that a youth organisation had earlier said no verified official report existed indicting the lawmaker and noted that previous verification exercises confirmed the validity of his NYSC certificate.
The office also reaffirmed the Deputy Speaker’s willingness to cooperate with any lawful investigation.
“The Deputy Speaker has absolute confidence in the integrity of Nigerian institutions. Should any competent authority request clarification or documentation, he will fully cooperate as a law-abiding citizen,” the statement added.
It warned against what it described as attempts to pressure public institutions through media campaigns and protests.
“The Office rejects the attempt by certain groups to issue ultimatums and threats of protests as a means of coercing public institutions or forcing political outcomes,” the statement said.
The Deputy Speaker urged the public to allow relevant institutions to examine any petitions through due process.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations had earlier alleged that Kalu might have completed the NYSC programme and the Nigerian Law School simultaneously, which it described as “statutorily impossible.”
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the coalition’s leader, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, said records indicated that Kalu, then known as Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu, attended the Nigerian Law School between 2010 and 2011.
According to the group, the Deputy Speaker allegedly took an oath in April 2010 declaring he would not participate in the NYSC or engage in employment while undergoing legal training.
The coalition, however, claimed that an NYSC discharge certificate was reportedly issued to him in March 2011 covering a service year that overlapped with his law school programme.
“Only one of two scenarios can apply. Either he did not participate fully in the NYSC service year, or he never attended the Nigerian Law School to qualify for the Bar. We demand clarity and accountability from Kalu himself, the NYSC, and the Council of Legal Education,” Ogakwu said.
The groups also called on the NYSC to clarify the authenticity of the discharge certificate allegedly issued to the Deputy Speaker and urged the Council of Legal Education to provide proof of his attendance record at the law school.
They further demanded that Kalu step aside pending the outcome of any investigation to protect the integrity of the office of the Deputy Speaker.
Despite the allegations, the Deputy Speaker’s office maintained that he would continue to discharge his legislative responsibilities while respecting due process and the rule of law.
