The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will today, Monday, begin hearing a suit filed under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act seeking to compel the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to produce official documents verifying the mandatory one-year national service of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The suit, scheduled to be called at the Federal High Court complex in the Central Business District, Abuja, seeks judicial intervention to enforce the disclosure of records detailing the Minister’s mobilization, deployment, and completion logs.
The legal challenge centers on public scrutiny surrounding the timeline of Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s national service. Official records show that after an initial delay following his tertiary education, the Minister submitted an application for his discharge certificate through the NYSC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) State Coordinator on October 18, 2022.
The application was subsequently processed by the scheme’s national headquarters, resulting in the issuance of Discharge Certificate No. A004523631 on February 28, 2023.
While previous investigative reports by law enforcement agencies affirmed the physical validity and authenticity of the issued certificate, the applicants contend that full institutional disclosure of the underlying administrative files remains essential in the interest of public accountability and transparency.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant ahead of the court session, lead counsel Barrister Yakubu emphasized that the legal action is grounded in statutory rights provided by the FOI Act:
”Our mandate is anchored on public interest, institutional accountability, and compliance with federal law. The public is entitled to verified administrative records regarding the statutory national obligations of public officeholders. We are approaching the court to ensure the statutory duties of disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act are fully upheld.”
Responding to media inquiries regarding the court proceedings, Caroline Embu, representing the NYSC Headquarters Public Relations Unit, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the judicial process:
”The National Youth Service Corps operates squarely within the parameters of established statutory guidelines and constitutional provisions. As this matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, the scheme will reserve its detailed submissions and factual account for the presiding judge during formal court proceedings.”
During Monday’s session, the presiding court is expected to take initial appearances, determine preliminary motions regarding jurisdiction, and outline the timeline for the substantive hearing on the request for an order of mandamus against the NYSC.
