In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has given approval for a suit seeking to disqualify Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Minister of Interior. The plaintiff, Oladotun Hassan, alleges forgery of Tunji-Ojo’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. Justice Emeka Nwite granted leave to hear the case and set a hearing date for December 11, 2023.
Hassan’s suit, with reference number FHC/ABJ/C5/1155/2023, lists six respondents, including Tunji-Ojo and the President of Nigeria. The applicant challenges the authenticity of the NYSC certificate presented by the Minister and questions the legality of his appointment.
The court document reveals the grounds for the applicant’s case: “A Declaration that the purported discharged Certificate No: A004523431 issued by the 6th Respondent to the 1st Respondent on the 28th February 2023 is null and void… A Declaration that the NYSC discharged certificate NO: A004523631 purported to be issued by the 6th Respondent and presented by the 1st Respondent… is illegal, null and void…”
Justice Nwite’s order includes granting leave for the applicant to apply for judicial review, an order of prohibition against further recognition of Tunji-Ojo’s appointment, and directing the 4th and 5th respondents to provide findings dated August 7, 2023, for review.