Court Orders Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo to Respond to Suit Seeking NYSC Records

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to respond to a lawsuit seeking the disclosure of records relating to his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the directive on Monday after a hearing in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Pathway to Equity and Charity Foundation.

The foundation is seeking an order compelling the NYSC to release documents verifying the minister’s completion of the mandatory one-year national service. It is also asking the court to direct the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to produce records showing that Tunji-Ojo served his primary assignment with the administration.

During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the foundation, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN), told the court that he was ready to proceed with the hearing.

However, Abiola Olaniji, who appeared for the minister, informed the court that an application had been filed to join Tunji-Ojo as the third respondent. He said the foundation had submitted a counter-affidavit raising issues that required a response and requested time to address them.

Olaniji added that the minister was prepared to participate in the proceedings as an interested party.

Akuma opposed the application, arguing that Tunji-Ojo was not a necessary party to the suit because the documents being sought were in the custody of the NYSC and the FCTA, rather than the minister.

Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter and directed the minister to file his response before the next hearing.

In the suit, the foundation is asking the NYSC to produce several documents, including Tunji-Ojo’s mobilisation or call-up letter, posting letter, mobilisation application, evidence of approval for his remobilisation, allowance payment records, Community Development Service records, his “book of life” and discharge certificate.

It is also seeking corresponding records from the FCTA, including his posting letter, attendance records during the service year, evidence of allowance payments and Community Development Service documentation.

The application was brought under Section 14 of the Federal High Court Act, relevant provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Sections 20, 21 and 25 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

The proceedings followed leave granted by Justice Ibrahim on October 5, 2026, allowing the foundation to commence the action.

In a 25-paragraph affidavit, the foundation’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Uchenna Ejimafor, described the organisation as a non-governmental group involved in exposing alleged corruption, bribery and abuse of office in public and private institutions.

Ejimafor alleged that the minister had represented himself as having completed the mandatory national service and served with the FCTA in 2006 or another year. He claimed that the foundation’s investigation, however, indicated that Tunji-Ojo did not serve with the administration during the period in question.

According to the affidavit, the foundation, through its solicitors, requested the relevant documents to verify its findings but alleged that the respondents failed to provide them. It argued that the Freedom of Information Act requires requested records to be released within seven days, subject to the law’s provisions.

The foundation maintained that court intervention was necessary to obtain the documents.

The dispute over Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC records had previously attracted a response from the scheme in a letter dated August 8, 2023, signed by Fasakin B. A. on behalf of the Director-General.

According to the letter, Tunji-Ojo was mobilised in 2006 and deployed to the Federal Capital Territory but subsequently absconded from the scheme. The NYSC said he resurfaced in 2019, was remobilised and posted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for his primary assignment.

The scheme explained that his certificate was unavailable at the passing-out parade because his name had been omitted from the certificate-printing application.

It further stated that Tunji-Ojo applied for the certificate through the FCT State Coordinator on October 18, 2022, and that the application was forwarded to the NYSC headquarters. Certificate No. A004523631 was reportedly produced on February 28, 2023, for collection.

The latest court proceedings are expected to determine the foundation’s request for access to the records held by the relevant public institutions.