“You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has challenged the Council of Legal Education (CLE), insisting that the body lacks the legal authority to revoke his Nigerian Law School qualifying certificate amid an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding his academic records and NYSC participation.

The controversy followed a petition alleging inconsistencies in Kalu’s academic timeline, particularly claims that he combined the Nigerian Law School programme with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service. The CLE had directed him to respond to the allegations within seven days as part of its internal review process.

In a formal response through his lawyers dated April 28, 2026, and signed by Chukwuebuka S. Okeke of Olaniwun Ajayi LP Chambers, Kalu described the petition as “fundamentally deficient in law” and urged the council to dismiss it. His legal team insisted that no law prohibits simultaneous participation in the Nigerian Law School and NYSC programme.

Kalu’s lawyers also argued that the Council of Legal Education has no express statutory power to revoke or cancel a qualifying certificate once issued. They maintained that any disciplinary authority available to the council is limited and can only apply in cases involving proven criminal conduct or clear legal violations, none of which they said had been established.

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The legal team further referenced provisions of the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act, explaining that the CLE’s mandate is to oversee legal education and certify candidates who meet the requirements for admission to the Bar, but not to withdraw certificates retrospectively. They cited Section 5 of the Act, which outlines eligibility criteria for Law School graduates to be called to the Bar.

Despite Kalu’s objections, the Council of Legal Education has set up a three-member investigative panel to examine the petition and related allegations. In a letter dated April 21, 2026, the council instructed Kalu to submit a written response within seven days, citing allegations of perjury, false representation, and discrepancies in his NYSC and Law School records.

The CLE, however, has maintained silence publicly on the matter. A senior official confirmed that the petition was received and the process is being handled internally, declining to provide further details or confirm whether Kalu responded after the deadline.

Kalu’s legal team also dismissed reliance on an alleged declaration he reportedly signed during his academic period, which stated he would not participate in NYSC while in Law School. They argued that the document was unsworn and therefore carries no legal weight or enforceability.

They further maintained that no statute, regulation, or institutional guideline in force at the time prohibited simultaneous participation in the Nigerian Law School and NYSC programme. According to them, a review of the Nigerian Law School Student Handbook for the relevant academic session also revealed no such restriction.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG) has filed a separate petition questioning the legality of combining Law School studies with NYSC service, arguing that law students are expected to fully dedicate themselves to professional training without parallel obligations.

The CLE’s investigative panel is expected to review all submissions before deciding on further action. For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with Kalu insisting his certificate is valid and cannot be revoked, while the council continues its internal inquiry.

“You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval

Nigeria has recorded fresh progress in its diplomatic postings as 33 out of the 65 ambassadorial nominees approved by President Bola Tinubu have now received agrément from their respective host countries, while 32 others are still awaiting clearance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that the number of cleared envoys has risen to 33 following continued diplomatic engagements with foreign missions.

“Thirty-three ambassadors have now secured agréments from host countries,” Ebienfa said.

Agrément is the formal diplomatic approval granted by a receiving country after vetting and accepting a nominated ambassador, allowing them to assume official duties in that country.

Ebienfa added that the newly cleared ambassadors will proceed to their assigned foreign missions after completing an ongoing induction programme, which began on Monday in Abuja and is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

“After the induction, those who have been accepted will proceed to their Missions,” he said.

The ministry had earlier reported that over 25 nominees had secured agrément as of April 17, showing gradual progress in the clearance process across Nigeria’s diplomatic partners.

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As part of preparations, the Federal Government began a formal induction programme for career and non-career ambassadors-designate to equip them for their roles in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the new envoys to project Nigeria positively while actively engaging the international community on issues affecting the country.

She acknowledged Nigeria’s domestic challenges, including insecurity, infrastructure gaps, and resource constraints, but stressed that diplomats must use their platforms to attract partnerships rather than obscure the realities at home.

“Locally, our nation faces genuine challenges of insecurity, resource mobilisation, and infrastructure development,” she said. “Your task is not to hide these realities but to secure international attention and partnership by amplifying the true picture that, despite these obstacles, this government’s commitment to resolving them remains unparalleled and consistent.”

Meanwhile, the list of 65 ambassadorial nominees submitted by the Presidency to the National Assembly in late 2025 marked Nigeria’s effort to fill long-standing vacancies in foreign missions worldwide.

The Senate screened the nominees in December, but delays in appointment left several embassies operating under chargés d’affaires, limiting high-level diplomatic engagement for months.

One of the nominees, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s designated ambassador to Algeria, reportedly passed away on April 23, further complicating the final composition of the list.

Officials also acknowledged concerns that some nominees could face delays or rejection due to the extended gap between nomination and diplomatic processing, as some host countries require timely submission for agrément approval.

Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has faced pressure to fully restore Nigeria’s ambassadorial presence abroad after a prolonged vacancy in key diplomatic postings.

The government says it is working to ensure that all remaining nominees secure approvals so that Nigeria’s foreign missions can operate at full capacity.

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval

Reps Move to Extend Dormant SIM Reallocation Period to 18 Months

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the dormancy period for inactive phone numbers before they are reassigned to new users from the current timeline to 18 months.

This is in a bid to strengthen data protection, reduce SIM card fraud, and prevent identity theft linked to recycled mobile numbers.

The resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary following a motion sponsored by Billy Osawaru, who represents the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State.

Lawmakers argued that extending the validity period of inactive numbers would improve compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and reduce the risks associated with recycled SIM cards linked to BVN and NIN records.

As part of the proposal, telecom operators would also be required to introduce additional safeguards, including a six-month buffer period within the 18-month framework. During this period, operators would publicly announce phone numbers scheduled for reassignment in national newspapers, notify security agencies periodically to track potential misuse, and improve monitoring of inactive numbers connected to sensitive identity data.

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Osawaru warned that the current SIM recycling system has exposed many Nigerians to fraud, harassment, and reputational damage, especially where reassigned numbers were previously used for criminal activities. He explained that under existing NCC telecom identity management guidelines, inactive SIM cards may be deactivated and later reassigned after a period of dormancy, a process operators say is necessary for operational sustainability.

However, lawmakers expressed concern that the practice has created loopholes that allow criminals to exploit recycled numbers, leading to cases of financial fraud, impersonation, and identity misuse. According to Osawaru, many victims have suffered embarrassment and extortion after unknowingly inheriting numbers previously linked to illegal activities.

The House further noted that recycled numbers often remain connected to sensitive personal records such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identity Numbers (NIN), increasing the risk of data breaches and digital identity compromise. Lawmakers stressed that strengthening SIM recycling regulations aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, which aims to safeguard citizens’ personal data in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem.

Currently, telecom operators are allowed to deactivate and recycle inactive numbers after a defined period of inactivity under NCC rules, following staged deactivation and cooling processes. Lawmakers, however, argue that the existing timeline is insufficient to fully protect users whose numbers may still be tied to financial services, social media accounts, and government identity systems.

Following unanimous adoption of the motion, the House mandated its committees on communications and commerce to engage the NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and other relevant stakeholders. The committees are expected to submit a report within four weeks, which may shape possible legislative reforms to Nigeria’s SIM card recycling policy and telecom identity security framework. If implemented, the proposal could significantly extend the protection window for mobile subscribers and reshape how inactive phone numbers are managed across Nigeria’s telecom sector.

Reps Move to Extend Dormant SIM Reallocation Period to 18 Months