Court Orders Probe into Interior Minister’s Academic Qualifications

The Federal High court in Abuja has granted a request by an activist, Mr. Emorioloye Owolemi to inquire into the academic qualifications of the current Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Justices Binta Nyako granted the permission while ruling in an ex-parte application brought before her by the social crusader, Owolemi.

Owolemi had approached the court where he sought an order of court to inquire into Secondary School Certificate said to have been issued to the Minister by the West African Examination Council, (WAEC).

The activist predicated his request against Olubunmi’s Secondary School Certificate on the ground that there were discrepancies in the academic claims.

However, in another development, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday refused a similar request by the activist to inquire into the discharge certificate said to have been issued to the Minister by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The activist through his lead counsel, Mr Philemon Yakubu, SA, had argued a motion ex-parte brought pursuant to order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019, sections 1, 20 and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to seek for permission of the court to inquire into the legality or otherwise of the Minister’s NYSC discharge certificate.

Specifically, the activist applied for an order of mandamus to compel the National Youth Service Corps to supply to him, the information he requested in his letter of November 17, 2025 regarding the discharge certificate of the Minister of Interior in the custody of the organization.

Among others, the applicant also wants the NYSC to supply him monthly clearance records, where the Minister served before his alleged absconding, bank account details, and financial information submitted by the Minister through his 2006 NYSC registration and all monthly allowance payment logs, including dates, amounts, bank scheduled and the account to which payments were made.

Others are, official NYSC documentation detailing the date, nature and status of the Minister’s alleged absconding and all internal memos, queries, disciplinary reports or correspondence issued in relation to the alleged absconding as well as registration, posting, deployment and service documents associated with the Minister’s 2006 service year.

However, Justice Abdulmalik after taking argument on the ex parte application declined to grant the request.

The judge held that the applicant did not indicate that he was acting in the public interest as required by law.

Speaking with newsmen after the court ruling, Mr Philemon Yakubu SAN said he will consult with his client to determine the next line of action in the legal battle.

He said the desire of his client is to ensure transparency, accountability and probity among the public office holders in the country.