The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to a suit filed by Oladotun Hassan, seeking to disqualify the appointment of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as the Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu. The suit is based on allegations of forgery of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate by the minister.
The suit, with the number FHC/ABJ/C5/1155/2023, lists Aare Oladotun Hassan as the applicant and six respondents, with the Minister of Interior as the first respondent and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the second respondent. Other respondents include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Justice Emeka Nwite has granted leave for the case to be heard, and the court has scheduled the hearing for the 11th day of December 2023. The applicant alleges that the minister forged his NYSC certificate, leading to the initiation of legal proceedings.
According to court documents, the applicant is seeking several declarations, including the nullification of the purported discharged certificate issued to the minister by the NYSC. The applicant also challenges the legality of the screening, confirmation, and inauguration of the minister, arguing that it violates the NYSC Act and constitutional provisions.
The court order, as obtained by SaharaReporters, outlines various directives, including granting leave to the applicant for judicial review, prohibiting the respondents from recognizing the appointment, and directing the relevant parties to present findings for review.
Furthermore, Justice Nwite declared that the minister failed to fulfill the conditions precedent under the NYSC Act for the issuance of the discharged/exemption certificate. The court also declared the purported NYSC certificate as null and void, being issued contrary to the NYSC Act.
The legal proceedings will also include an order voiding the discharged certificate and setting aside the screening and confirmation of the minister. An injunction has been issued, restraining the respondents from recognizing or giving effect to the minister’s appointment pending the determination of the substantive matter.
The case is set to be heard on the 11th day of December 2023, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations surrounding the minister’s appointment.