LPDC dismisses petition alleging irregularities in Benjamin Kalu’s NYSC, law school records

The legal practitioners’ disciplinary committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition filed against Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives.

The petitioner alleged that Kalu participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme while attending the Nigerian Law School and made false declarations that formed the basis of his call to the bar in 2011.

However, Kalu has dismissed the allegations, insisting that they were based on a petition that had neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the LPDC held that no prima facie case was established against Kalu.

The ruling, referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, was signed by Umeh Kalu, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and a member of the LPDC panel.

The ruling has closed the case without requiring the respondent to respond to the allegations.

The petition was filed by John Aikpokpo Martins, a lawyer, who alleged that Kalu was formerly known as Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before a legal name change.

Martins also alleged that Kalu simultaneously participated in the NYSC scheme while attending the Nigerian Law School.

The petitioner claimed that the alleged dual participation violated the NYSC Act.

He further alleged that the development amounted to false declarations, which formed the basis of Kalu’s call to the bar on September 6, 2011.

Martins also referenced the deputy speaker’s subsequent enrolment on the roll of legal practitioners at the supreme court on October 5, 2011.

However, the LPDC said the complaint was fundamentally flawed, both procedurally and substantively.

On procedure, the panel noted that the statement of facts was addressed to the chairman of the legal practitioners’ privileges committee rather than the chairman of the LPDC as required under rule 4 of the LPDC rules 2020.

The panel said, while it overlooked the procedural error, the petition failed on its merits, noting that the issues raised in the complaint fall outside its jurisdiction.

The panel said the allegations relating to participation in the NYSC, attendance at the Nigerian Law School, and enrolment at the supreme court do not fall within its mandate.

“The LPDC cannot interrogate the operations of the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education, the NYSC and the Body of Benchers,” the ruling reads.

The committee said its mandate is limited to regulating the professional conduct of legal practitioners in the discharge of their duties to the public.

It also noted that the alleged infractions occurred before the respondent was called to the bar.

It said the claims, therefore, fall outside the committee’s disciplinary jurisdiction. (TheCable)