In regards to the recent ruling rendered by the Federal High Court in Abuja over the validity of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) voiced concerns yesterday.According to the group, serious questions have been raised concerning the integrity of the Nigerian legal system by the ruling rendered by Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo on November 6.
HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, recounted at a news conference that the dispute surrounding Governor Peter Mbah's NYSC certificate started in February 2023 when the NYSC denied the document's authenticity. In response, Governor Mbah sued the NYSC and sought N20 billion in damages for deception, conspiracy, and fabrication of facts.
During the press conference, Onwubiko expressed serious concerns over Justice Inyang Ekwo's claim that the NYSC could have brought charges against Governor Mbah if they had thought his certificate was fake.
He argued that this reading of the NYSC Act was incorrect since the NYSC is not legally permitted to prosecute cases of certificate fabrication as a public body.
HURIWA also drew attention to the disregard for the Inspector General of Police's ongoing investigation into the Governor Mbah charges. "There are questions regarding the judgment's fairness and comprehensiveness because the Inspector General of Police's acts are not mentioned at all.
"There are concerns about possible meddling with the current legal proceedings given the timing of the judgment, which came only a few days before the Labour Party's appeal against the Enugu State gubernatorial election petition tribunal ruling was scheduled to be heard by the Appeal Court Lagos.
"A thorough and unbiased assessment of the ruling to guarantee that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done. They exhorted the judiciary to preserve its independence and follow the rules of justice and fairness," the group continued.
HURIWA praised the NYSC, describing it as an example of an organization that does not tolerate corruption, for its uncompromising position on the issue.
The organization also demanded that people with dubious backgrounds be completely barred from entering politics and urged Nigerians to support the NYSC.