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Scandal in the House: Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Under Fire Over Dual NYSC and Law School Enrollment!
The legal and political corridors of Nigeria are buzzing today as a fresh petition hits the desk of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). The target? None other than the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The allegation is heavy: fraudulent enrollment as a legal practitioner.
The Meat of the Matter
A legal practitioner has formally petitioned the LPDC to investigate claims that Kalu bypassed the mandatory sequence of professional training. According to the petition, the Deputy Speaker allegedly attended the Nigerian Law School and participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme simultaneously.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Under the NYSC Act and the regulations governing legal education in Nigeria, the two are meant to be distinct, full-time commitments.
- The Conflict: NYSC is a mandatory one-year service for graduates, while the Nigerian Law School requires rigorous, full-time attendance to qualify for the Bar.
- The Legal Implication: If a candidate is found to have “doubled” these programs, it raises serious questions about the validity of their Bar vocational training and their subsequent Call to the Bar.
The Petitioners’ Stand
The petitioner argues that this “simultaneous service” constitutes a breach of professional ethics and fraudulent misrepresentation during the enrollment process. They are seeking a thorough probe into the records of both the Council of Legal Education and the NYSC Directorate to verify the timelines of Kalu’s certificates.
What Happens Next?
If the LPDC finds merit in this petition, the consequences could be seismic:
- Professional Discipline: A lawyer found to have gained admission to the Bar via fraudulent means can be disbarred and their name struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners.
- Political Fallout: As a high-ranking presiding officer of the National Assembly, any dent in his legal qualifications could trigger a massive constitutional crisis regarding his eligibility for office.
Stay tuned to this space as we track the LPDC’s response and any official statement from the Deputy Speaker’s camp!
