The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed allegations concerning his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and attendance at the Nigerian Law School, describing the claims as unproven and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on March 6, 2026, the Deputy Speaker’s office said the allegations were raised during a press conference by a coalition led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG).
The statement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, said the office would ordinarily not respond to “speculative claims and politically coloured narratives,” but decided to clarify the matter to prevent misinformation.
According to the statement, the allegations are based on a petition that has not been substantiated or determined by any competent authority.
It 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 completing the required processes overseen by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School.
“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 explained that the controversy followed a petition by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association requesting that the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the National Youth Service Corps review aspects of the Deputy Speaker’s academic and service records.
It stressed that the existence of a petition does not amount to proof of wrongdoing and warned against attempts to convict individuals in the court of public opinion.
The statement also rejected calls by some groups for the Deputy Speaker to step aside, arguing that such demands based on unverified claims could create a dangerous precedent and encourage politically motivated petitions against public officials.
While affirming Kalu’s commitment to national service, the office said he remained confident in the integrity of Nigerian institutions and would cooperate fully with any lawful inquiry if required.
The Deputy Speaker’s office urged the public to disregard attempts to politicise the issue and allow relevant statutory bodies to handle any petition placed before them in line with due process.
