Court Approves Probe of Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo’s Academic Credentials, Rejects NYSC Inquiry Request

The Federal High Court has granted permission for an investigation into the academic qualifications of Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following an application filed by activist Emorioloye Owolemi.

Justice Binta Nyako approved the request while ruling on an ex-parte motion in which the applicant sought legal authorization to verify the authenticity of the minister’s Secondary School Certificate reportedly issued by the West African Examinations Council. Owolemi told the court his application was based on alleged discrepancies in the minister’s academic claims.

However, in a related decision delivered the same day, another judge of the court, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declined a separate application by the activist seeking to probe the minister’s discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps.

Through his counsel, Philemon Yakubu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the applicant had asked the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the NYSC to release information relating to Tunji-Ojo’s 2006 service year. The request, filed pursuant to Order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019 and relevant provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, sought extensive documentation.

The documents requested included monthly clearance records, bank details, financial information submitted during service, allowance payment logs, and official records relating to the date, nature, and status of the minister’s alleged abscondment. The application also sought internal memos, queries, disciplinary reports, and posting and deployment records tied to his service year.

Justice Abdulmalik, after hearing arguments, refused the request on the grounds that the applicant failed to demonstrate that he was acting in the public interest as required by law.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Yakubu said he would consult with his client to determine the next legal step. He added that the objective of the application was to promote transparency, accountability, and probity among public office holders.

The rulings mark the latest legal twist in the dispute, with the court allowing scrutiny of the minister’s academic records while declining a similar request concerning his NYSC documentation.