- Wants FG to Quash NYSC certificates issued to Minister and Kenny Ogungba
By Ken Afor
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), in a petition filed has asked the Federal Government to sack the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa from office for violating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act.
In the petition, the NBA is asking the court to compel the NYSC to annul the certificates issued to the Minister and music executive, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe according to report by The PUNCH.
According to the NBA, the certificates issued to the Minister and Mr. Ogungbe were illegal, which violates the NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.
The plaintiffs in the suit marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024 are the NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, while the Minister, Mr. Ogungbe, NYSC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria are the first, second, third, and fourth defendants in the suit.
It would be recalled that in October 2023, Mr. Ogungbe took to social media to post pictures of himself in NYSC gear, announcing his mandatory completion of the service at the age of 53.
In 2023, the Minister caught the attention of many when she was unable to tender her NYSC certificate as proof of completing the mandatory program during her Senate screening.
The situation escalated after the NYSC responded that the minister was currently undergoing her NYSC, leading to increased calls for her resignation.
Interestingly, it is pertinent to note that the Minister and Mr. Ogungbe, during their mobilization for the NYSC program, had already exceeded the age of 30, which is the age limit for national service, making it illegal and unlawful, according to the NBA.
Therefore, the plaintiffs are asking the court that “by virtue of the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 LFN 2004, the 1st and 2nd defendants are not entitled to be engaged as employees by any employer of labour or services (including the Federal Government of Nigeria) without first possessing and presenting their certificates of National Youth Service.
“A declaration that the 1st defendant is not entitled to continue to hold the exalted office of Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any public office in Nigeria after violently violating with flagrant impunity the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN 2004,” the charges read.
