- The Federal High Court in Abuja granted activist Emorioloye Owolemi permission to investigate the Secondary School Certificate of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo issued by WAEC, citing alleged discrepancies in his academic claims
- A separate request by Owolemi to access Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC discharge certificate was dismissed by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who ruled that the application did not sufficiently demonstrate public interest
- Owolemi’s legal team signalled plans to consider next steps, while the WAEC inquiry is expected to examine the authenticity of the minister’s secondary school credentials, spotlighting calls for transparency in public office
The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved an application by activist Emorioloye Owolemi to investigate the academic credentials of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while rejecting a similar request concerning his NYSC discharge certificate.
Justice Binta Nyako granted the activist’s ex-parte application to examine the Secondary School Certificate allegedly issued to Tunji-Ojo by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). Owolemi had approached the court citing discrepancies in the minister’s academic claims.
The approval marks a partial victory for Owolemi, whose campaign aims to promote transparency and accountability among public office holders. “The desire of my client is to ensure transparency, accountability and probity among public office holders in the country,” said his lead counsel, Mr Philemon Yakubu, SAN, after the ruling.
However, in a separate ruling on Friday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the same court dismissed Owolemi’s application seeking to probe Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC discharge certificate. The activist had filed the motion ex-parte under Order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019, as well as Sections 1, 20 and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, requesting documents from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) concerning the minister’s 2006 service year.
The documents sought included monthly clearance records, bank account details, financial records, and internal NYSC correspondence, including queries or disciplinary reports allegedly related to the minister’s abscondment. Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated that the request was in the public interest, a requirement under the law.
Following the judgment, Yakubu indicated that he would consult with Owolemi to determine the next steps. The activist’s effort highlights increasing public scrutiny over the credentials and integrity of government officials, even as the courts weigh the scope of transparency versus legal limitations.
The WAEC inquiry now authorised by Justice Nyako is expected to examine the authenticity and legality of Tunji-Ojo’s secondary school certification, potentially setting the stage for broader scrutiny of his academic background.
This development adds to ongoing debates in Nigeria over public accountability, the vetting of officials, and citizens’ rights to information about those in positions of power.