NBA-SPIDEL Seeks Removal of Culture Minister Over Alleged NYSC Act Violation
By Matthew Eloyi
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has filed a suit urging the court to remove Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, from office for allegedly violating the National Youth Service Corps Act.
The organisation is also seeking a court order to compel the NYSC to revoke the certificates awarded to Musawa and music promoter Kenny Ogungbe, claiming that the issuance of these certificates contradicted the provisions of the NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.
In a suit marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024, the plaintiffs, Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, named Musawa, Ogungbe, NYSC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria as first to fourth defendants respectively.
According to the plaintiffs, the mobilization of Musawa and Ogungbe for the one-year national youth service after exceeding 30 years of age was deemed unlawful, illegal, and unpatriotic. They also alleged that the national service and certificates issued by the NYSC to Musawa and Ogungbe were null and void.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that, “By virtue of the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 LFN 2004, the 1st and 2nd defendants are not entitled to be engaged as employees by any employer of labour or services (including the Federal Government of Nigeria) without first possessing and presenting their certificates of National Youth Service.
“A declaration that the 1st defendant is not entitled to continue to hold the exalted office of Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any public office in Nigeria after violently violating with flagrant impunity the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN 2004.”
Earlier reports from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria in August 2023 accused Musawa of serving as a minister while undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Similarly, in October 2023, a social media uproar ensued when Ogungbe shared a photo of himself in the NYSC uniform, announcing his completion of NYSC at the age of 53.
Efforts to reach Musawa for comment were unsuccessful as calls to her number indicated it was unreachable. A response to the message sent to her was awaited at the time of filing this report.