The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has called for the immediate and independent probe of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu over the validity of his enrollment as a legal practitioner and the authenticity of his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
TheHintsNews reports that a former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins had dragged Kalu before the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the NYSC concerning allegations that he enrolled into Nigerian law school while serving.
The President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem and the Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaoru in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday said these allegations must not be ignored, politicised, or swept under the carpet.
The group maintained that the integrity of the institutions is bigger than any individual, no matter how highly placed.
It added: “Public confidence in the rule of law, professional standards, and the credibility of the NYSC scheme must be protected at all costs.
“We therefore call for immediate, transparent, and independent investigation by the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) into the issues raised in the petition.
“A thorough probe by the NYSC authorities to ascertain the authenticity of all relevant records. The public release of findings upon conclusion of the investigations.
“Given the high office occupied by the Deputy Speaker, COSEYL strongly advises that he steps aside from his position pending the outcome of these investigations.
“This is not a declaration of guilt but a necessary step to ensure that the process is free from any perception of interference or undue influence.”
The group warned that if there should be any attempt to frustrate or suppress a fair investigation, it would be left with no option but to mobilize lawful and peaceful civic actions to demand accountability.
It noted that such action would be conducted within the ambit of the law and democratic principles, saying Nigeria’s institutions must be protected, adding that no individual is greater than the law.