The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja to sack the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for violating the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Act.
The NBA also asked the court to compel the NYSC to nullify the certificates given to Musawa and to music executive Kenny Ogungbe.
The association said the issuance of the certificates was contrary to the provisions of NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.
Recall that Kenny Ogungbe, 53, announced in Oct. 2023 that he had just passed out from NYSC and he shared photos from his passing out parade (read here).
Also, recall that the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, had accused Musawa in August 2023 of serving as a minister while undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Reacting the NBA sued Musawa, Ogungbe, NYSC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The plaintiffs in the suit marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024 are the Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL, Funmi Adeogun.
The plaintiffs alleged that the mobilisation of Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after exceeding 30 years of age was unlawful and illegal.
The association alleged that Musawa and Ogungbe’s purported national service and the certificates of service purportedly issued by the NYSC were null and void.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they 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.
They also want 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 violating the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN 2004.