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

“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.

READ ALSO:

• Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval
• “Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan
• Police Officer Arrested After Shooting Handcuffed Suspect Dead in Viral Video

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