Nigerian News Leader First with details then facts 
* It's No Longer Business As Usual, Says AGF, Fagbemi
In anothet victory by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has yet again won a complex international arbitration.
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state government has pledged to strengthen the cultivation and promotion of bio-fortified crops as part of broader strategies towards combating malnutrition and improve nutrition especially among women and children in the state.
* State's Child Rights Agency Vows To Bring Perpetrators, Parents Violators To Book
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state government has taken a hard stance against acts depriving girl-child their rights to education, marriage and others as the State's Child Rights Agency (NSCRA) has vowed to bring to book both suitors and parents that violates such rights.
* Says He Will Drive Bauchi Oil Exploration
By Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
A political association in Bauchi State has declared that the emergence of Bala Wunti the former Managing Director, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (), a subsidiary of the NNPC Limited as governor would fast-track the exploration of oil and gas in the state.
By Nnanna Kalu (Abia State Correspondent, in Aba)
History has been made in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, as its communities now receive electricity from Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest power distribution company (DisCo) based in Aba, Abia State.
By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Judicial arms of government in Borno state has pledged complete commitment to partner with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) under the Office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu to strengthen the fight against the use of illicit arms and ammunition in the Northeast sub-region.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
In a significant move to strengthen grassroots administration, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in partnership with the Ondo State Government recently conducted a three-day capacity-building workshop designed to enhance fiscal discipline and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across the state’s 18 local government areas.
By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its solidarity with the media community following the death of Channels Television cameraman, Pwakaniso Ben Sylvanus, who was laid to rest on Saturday in Adamawa State.
* As Development Partners Intensify Efforts Against Early Marriage, Maternal Mortality
By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi State Government has intensified efforts to curb early and forced marriage as part of a broader social reform agenda aimed at improving living standards in rural communities.
* Pleads With Former Players To Support The Association And Sponsor Monthly League
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Chairperson Niger State Squash Association (NSSA), Mrs. Taiwo Akinkoye has admonished both old and new Squash players to be more committed to excel even as she pleaded with former state players to support the association to sponsor the monthly league.
* Ex-President Urges Reform, Canvasses For Integration of AI Into Academic Programme In The National Open Varsity
By Our Reporter
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for key reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), including the restoration of its Law programmes, increased student enrolment, and the integration of artificial intelligence into its academic system.
* Petitioner Writes Legal Practitioner's Disciplinary Committee Over Acts of Law Breaches
By Our Reporter
A fresh legal controversy has erupted around the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, following a petition challenging the legality of his enrolment as a legal practitioner and the authenticity of his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to a report by thenigerialawyer.com, a former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, has formally petitioned the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), alleging what he described as “fraudulent enrolment” on the Roll of Legal Practitioners maintained at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
At the centre of the petition is an alleged overlap between Kalu’s NYSC service year and his attendance at the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus.
The petitioner contends that Kalu was mobilised for NYSC from March 9, 2010 to March 8, 2011, while simultaneously attending the Nigerian Law School between April 23, 2010 and July 1, 2011.
Aikpokpo-Martins argues that such dual participation would contravene Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act, which mandates a continuous one-year national service. He maintains that it is “statutorily impossible” for a corps member to lawfully undertake full-time academic training during the subsistence of the service year.
The petition further references what is described as a strict policy of the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education prohibiting students from serving in the NYSC during their period of study.
In an affidavit deposed before the LPDC, the petitioner alleges that Kalu—who reportedly enrolled at the Law School under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before subsequent changes of name—made a formal declaration on April 23, 2010, affirming that he was not and would not engage in employment or serve in the NYSC during his course of study.
However, documentary evidence attached to the petition, including NYSC Certificate of National Service No. A001773067 allegedly issued on March 8, 2011, is said to indicate continuous participation in the scheme within the same timeframe.
The petitioner asserts that this raises fundamental questions as to whether the Deputy Speaker satisfied the mandatory 70 percent attendance requirement at the Nigerian Law School—a prerequisite for certification by the Council of Legal Education and subsequent Call to Bar.
Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar on September 6, 2011, and enrolled at the Supreme Court with enrolment number SCN/078630.
The petition invokes several provisions of the NYSC Act, including Sections 13(1)(b), 13(3), and 13(4), which prescribe penalties for failure to serve continuously, aiding contraventions, or making false statements in connection with the scheme.
Under Section 11(1)(c) of the Legal Practitioners Act, the LPDC is empowered to discipline any legal practitioner found guilty of infamous conduct in a professional respect.
Aikpokpo-Martins has also written to the Director-General of the NYSC, urging the withdrawal of the alleged Certificate of National Service and calling for prosecution if breaches are established.
He further disclosed plans to apply for subpoenas compelling the production of official records from both the NYSC and the Nigerian Law School, including call-up letters, attendance registers, allowance payment records, and discharge documentation.
The petitioner insists that the matter transcends politics and strikes at the core of professional ethics and institutional integrity.
“The exalted position he presently occupies must showcase the highest standards of integrity, transparency and adherence to the law,” he stated.
Senior lawyers who spoke on the development emphasised that the LPDC possesses jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct, including fraudulent enrolment, where properly substantiated. However, they cautioned that the claims remain allegations pending formal inquiry and evidentiary scrutiny.
As of press time, there has been no official response from Hon. Kalu regarding the petitions. Neither the NYSC nor the LPDC has publicly confirmed whether investigations have commenced.
The unfolding controversy places renewed focus on statutory compliance, professional standards, and the expectations of integrity for holders of high public office. (source: thenigerialawyer.com). NNL.
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