
The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to remove the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy from office due to alleged violations of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act by the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law.
Additionally, the group requested that the NYSC compel the organisation to revoke the certifications that were granted to Musawa and music promoter Kenny Ogungbe, claiming that the granting of the certificates was against the terms of the NYSC Act Cap N84.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit are Funmi Adeogun, the secretary of NBA-SPIDEL, and John Aikpokpo-Martins, the chairman.
The plaintiffs alleged that the mobilisation of Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after exceeding 30 years of age was unlawful, illegal, and an affront to patriotism.
The National Youth Service Corps Act is a crucial piece of legislation in Nigeria designed to foster unity and national integration. Among its provisions, it mandates that every Nigerian graduate below the age of 30 must undergo a one-year national service. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in legal consequences, including disqualification from certain employment opportunities.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the alleged violation of the NYSC Act by Kenny Ogungbe, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. The specific details of the allegations have not been fully disclosed, but the plaintiffs argue that the minister’s purported failure to present his NYSC certificate makes him ineligible for his current position.
This legal challenge brings to the forefront the broader issue of public service integrity and the expectations placed on public officials to uphold the law. The requirement for public officials to have completed the mandatory national youth service is not just a formality; it serves as a mechanism to ensure that those in positions of authority have shared in the national experience and are committed to the ideals of unity and service.
As news of the lawsuit spreads, it is likely to spark public discourse on the responsibilities and accountability of public officials. Citizens may engage in discussions about the necessity of strict adherence to the law and the potential consequences for those found in violation. The case may also prompt a review of existing mechanisms for verifying the eligibility of individuals appointed to public office.
They also alleged that Musawa and Ogungbe’s purported national service and the certificates of service purportedly issued by the NYSC were null and void.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they 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.
They also want 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.”