The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling prohibiting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from publishing further disclaimers that reject the authenticity of Enugu State Governor-elect, Peter Mbah’s Jan. 6, 2003 certificate. This order was given following a motion moved by Emeka Ozoani, SAN, on behalf of Mr. Mbah, who pleaded with Justice Inyang Ekwo to prevent the NYSC from disclaiming the certificate in question and to restrict the NYSC’s Director of Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, from continuing to deny that the certificate was issued by the NYSC.
The judge, in his ruling on the ex parte application, granted the first prayer on the motion paper and prevented the publication of any further disclaimers from both parties involved in the case. However, he refused to grant the second prayer, declaring it “far-reaching” and ordered that parties should be duly notified about the proceedings. He further stated that the second prayer would be considered in the substantive suit.
The motion challenging the NYSC’s disclaimer had about 10 grounds and was premised on Section 13(1) & (2) of the Federal High Court Act and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
Mr. Mbah, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, had graduated from the University of East London in Law in 2000, and upon completing the necessary courses at the Nigerian Law School, proceeded to join the NYSC program as is required of every Nigerian Graduate.
According to him, after being deployed to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, he found a place at the law firm Ude & Associates. Six months into his service year, Mr. Mbah applied for and was granted an approval to defer the NYSC and instead focus on the Bar final exam. He later returned to complete his NYSC and upon completion, was issued a National Service Certificate No. A.808297 dated Jan.6, 2003.
The validity of this certificate was challenged by the NYSC in February, with the corps insisting that the certificate did not originate with them. However, with this new court injunction, the NYSC is restrained from any further such notice or publications to discredit Mr. Mbah’s certificate.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case until May 22, granting the respondents two days to serve the necessary court documents required before the hearing of the case. The case has been anxiously anticipated by Nigerians, especially residents of Enugu State, as its conclusion could have a significant effect on the mandate that has been given to the governor-elect.