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Deputy Speaker’s Office Pushes Back on NYSC, Law School Allegations
By Gloria Ikibah
The Office of the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has rejected allegations raised by a coalition of civil society organisations regarding his participation in the National Youth Service Corps and his attendance at the Nigerian Law School.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office said it had taken note of a press conference organised by a coalition led by the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance, where allegations were raised about the Deputy Speaker’s academic and service records.
“Ordinarily, the Office would not dignify speculative claims and politically coloured narratives with an official response.
“However, in the interest of public clarity and to prevent deliberate misinformation from gaining traction, it has become necessary to address the issues raised,” the statement said.
The statement maintained that the claims being circulated were unproven and stemmed from a petition that had not been substantiated or determined by any competent authority. It stressed that the Deputy Speaker remains a qualified legal practitioner whose professional credentials have been scrutinised at several points in his career.
“First and foremost, it must be clearly stated that the allegations being circulated remain unproven claims arising from a petition that has neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority,” the statement noted.
It also recalled 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 fulfilling the statutory requirements 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 added.
The controversy, according to the Deputy Speaker’s office, originated from a petition written by a former official of the Nigerian Bar Association, asking the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee and the NYSC to examine aspects of Kalu’s records.
“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 added.
It criticised the coalition for presenting speculation as established fact, describing such claims as premature and misleading, and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process.
The statement further noted that some civic organisations had already warned against politicising the matter, describing the controversy as part of what they believed to be a coordinated attempt to damage the reputation of the Deputy Speaker.
“For emphasis, the Deputy Speaker has never forged any credentials or falsified any official record,” the statement said, adding that similar allegations surfaced during political contests in 2023 but were dismissed during legal proceedings where he affirmed the authenticity of his credentials.
The office also expressed concern that the issue was being revived while the Deputy Speaker was actively engaged in legislative duties.
It emphasised the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence, stating that any concerns should be handled by relevant authorities rather than through media campaigns.
“Respect for Due Process: 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.
“Presumption of Innocence: Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. Allegations must be investigated by appropriate authorities rather than adjudicated through press conferences and media trials,” the statement further said.
The office also rejected what it described as attempts to use
protests or public pressure to force political outcomes.
“Rejection of Political Blackmail: 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,” it stated.
Reaffirming the Deputy Speaker’s focus on governance, the statement said he remains committed to legislative reforms and national development.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu remains fully committed to his responsibilities as Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament, focusing on legislative reforms, national development, and strengthening democratic institutions,” it added.
The office urged the public to disregard attempts to politicise the issue and allow relevant statutory bodies to examine any petitions placed before them.
“Nigeria’s democracy is strengthened not by speculation or character assassination, but by adherence to truth, fairness and institutional processes,” the statement concluded.
Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.
US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf Sunday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend, warning that any Iranian attack boats that challenged the blockade would be destroyed.
The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier, with mediator Pakistan and Gulf state Qatar continuing calls for it to be respected as diplomatic efforts continue.
Guterres on Monday called on “all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the United States blocked passage through the critical waterway.
The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.
Iravani said the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a second letter, the UN envoy called on Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has distanced himself from recent media reports linking him to certain political aspirations, saying the comments were made without his knowledge or authorisation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said the remarks had been attributed to an unnamed individual described in media reports as his political associate, and that he had no hand in them.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement read.
“He did not authorise such comments.”
The disclaimer pointedly underscored El-Rufai’s reputation for speaking his mind directly, with the statement noting that he had been known throughout his public life for the frank articulation of his views.
“He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement added, warning that any future communication from the former governor would come directly from him or through his designated spokesperson.
El-Rufai did not identify the associate in question, nor did the statement specify the nature of the political aspirations that had been reported.
However, the swift and emphatic denial suggests the former governor was keen to prevent any impression that the comments reflected his current political thinking or intentions.
JAMB declares readiness for 2026 UTME, urges parents to protest admission violations
The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which the positions and affiliations of prominent political figures are under intense media and public scrutiny.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, remains one of the most closely watched political figures in northern Nigeria.
His next political move — including which party platform he may adopt ahead of 2027 — has been a subject of widespread speculation.
The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspected vandals involved in the destruction and theft of transformer components belonging to Yobe State Television at Garin Alkali Booster Station.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Command, the arrest was made on April 14, 2026, by its operatives stationed in Garin Alkali while acting on credible intelligence.
“The arrested suspects are Muhammad Auwali, a.k.a. Aburare, 51, Inusa Lawan, 53, and Hassan Ibrahim, 27, all of Bursari and Gashua axis, Bade LGA. One accomplice identified as Ozu, is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects criminally conspired and vandalised a transformer located at the YTV Booster Station, Garin Alkali, Bursari LGA.
“The suspects dismantled the transformer and sold part of the metal components”, it said.
The Command added that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to selling some of the vandalised transformer parts to Hassan Ibrahim for the sum of N250,000, out of which N150,000 had already been paid.
“Investigation is in progress, after which the suspects will be charged in court for prosecution”, the police command said.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kamfani Jibrin, in the statement, warned scrap metal dealers against purchasing suspected stolen items and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in protecting critical public infrastructure.
He stressed that anyone found involved in such unlawful activities will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
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