NBA Files Lawsuit Against Minister of Culture and Music Promoter Over Alleged NYSC Certificate Violations

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has taken legal action against the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and renowned music promoter Kenny Ogungbe. The NBA-SPIDEL is urging the court to remove Minister Musawa from office, alleging a violation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act.

The lawsuit, marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024, filed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary Funmi Adeogun, requests the court to compel the NYSC to nullify the certificates issued to Musawa and Ogungbe. The plaintiffs argue that the issuance of these certificates contradicts the provisions of the NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.

The crux of the matter revolves around the alleged unlawful mobilization of Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after surpassing the age of 30. The plaintiffs assert that this act is not only illegal but also undermines the spirit of patriotism.

The lawsuit seeks a declaration that, according to Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the NYSC Act, the defendants are not entitled to employment without presenting their NYSC certificates. Additionally, it calls for Musawa’s removal from the position of Honourable Minister for violating the NYSC Act.

This legal action comes on the heels of accusations made by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria in August 2023 against Minister Musawa for serving as a minister while undergoing the NYSC scheme. Similarly, in October 2023, music promoter Kenny Ogungbe stirred controversy on social media by announcing the completion of his NYSC at the age of 53.

Efforts to obtain a response from Minister Musawa were unsuccessful as calls to her number indicated it was unreachable. At the time of this report, there was no response to the message sent to her. The court is expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming weeks.