Two courts issue conflicting rulings on Minister Tunji-Ojo’s certificates

THE Federal High Court in Abuja has split its decision on two applications seeking to scrutinise the academic and service records of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, granting one while throwing out the other.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Binta Nyako approved a request by activist Emorioloye Owolemi, allowing him to formally investigate the minister’s secondary school certificate reportedly issued by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). The court agreed that the applicant could proceed with inquiries after he alleged inconsistencies in the minister’s academic history.

Owolemi, who described himself as a social reform advocate, told the court that the application was aimed at verifying the authenticity of the WAEC certificate cited in official records linked to the minister.

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However, in a separate but related suit, another judge of the same court, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declined to grant Owolemi permission to probe the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate attributed to Tunji-Ojo.

The second application was filed through Owolemi’s lead counsel, Philemon Yakubu, SAN, under the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019 and the Freedom of Information Act 2011. It sought an order compelling the NYSC to release documents connected to the minister’s 2006 service year.

Specifically, the activist asked the court to mandate the NYSC to respond to a letter dated November 17, 2025, requesting details about the discharge certificate said to be in the agency’s custody. He also sought supporting records, including clearance documents, postings, and payment histories linked to the period of service.

In addition, the application demanded bank details, allowance payment schedules, monthly logs, and internal NYSC correspondence allegedly connected to claims that the minister absconded during service. Other documents sought included deployment records, disciplinary reports, queries, and any official memos relating to the matter.

Justice Abdulmalik, after hearing arguments, ruled that the request could not stand because the applicant failed to establish that the action was brought in the public interest, as required by law.

Speaking after the ruling, Yakubu said he would meet with his client to decide the next course of action. He insisted that the case was motivated by a commitment to strengthen transparency, accountability and ethical standards in public office.