A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed July 11 for hearing the preliminary objection filed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against a suit by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, who fixed the date, also ordered the NYSC to file and serve their statement of defence within seven days of the order.
The development followed an oral application by the defendants’ lawyer, Aminu Sadauki, seeking for about a week to respond to Mbah’s substantive matter.
Justice Ekwo also warned journalists against being speculative in the report of the case instituted by Enugu governor against the youth scheme over alleged discharge certificate forgery.
The judge gave the warning after he struck out the motion for joinder filed by the Labour Party and its governorship candidate in the Enugu State poll, Jonathan Edeoga, which they later sought to withdraw.
Mbah had in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Emeka Ozoani, SAN, maintained that contrary to the allegation against him, he was on January 6, 2003, issued a certificate of service No. A. 808297, upon the completion of his NYSC.
He told the court that after he studied law and graduated from the University of East London in 2000, he returned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as a lawyer, applied and was admitted into the Bar Part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.
“The plaintiff upon competing the Bar Part 1 exam had to wait for the Bar Part II programme. He was advised that instead of spending time idling around should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.
“The plaintiff was initially posted to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa Quays for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA. Subsequently, the plaintiff secured the law firm of Ude & Associates.
“The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in other to enable him complete the Bar final exam.
“Thereafter, the plaintiff was re-mobilized to finish the NYSC programme, which he did completed.”
He told the court that he was called up for the NYSC and was deployed to Lagos where he served as a corp member.
Mbah alleged an attempt to smear his public image through the publication of a disclaimer by the NYSC to disown his certificate.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Ayodele Akintunde, SAN: Legal Titan Celebrates and Reflects on His Life Journey.". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
