NBA Sues Culture Minister Musawa, Music Promoter Ogungbe Over Violation Of NYSC Law

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law is suing the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and music promoter, Kenny Ogungbe, at the Federal High Court Abuja.

The suit requests the sacking of the Minister for allegedly violating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act.

The organization also urges the court to compel NYSC to nullify the certificates issued to Musawa and Ogungbe, alleging that their issuance contradicted the provisions of the NYSC Act Cap N84.

The plaintiffs, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary Funmi Adeogun, claim that mobilizing Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after exceeding 30 years of age was unlawful and an affront to patriotism.

They allege that the national service and certificates of service issued by the NYSC to Musawa and Ogungbe are null and void.

The plaintiffs seek a declaration that they are not entitled to be employed without first possessing and presenting their NYSC certificates. They also seek a declaration that the first defendant is not entitled to continue holding public office in Nigeria after allegedly violating the NYSC Act.

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.”