The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a preliminary objection filed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in a N20 billion suit brought against it by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. The court, presided over by Inyang Ekwo, ruled that it has the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the case, contrary to NYSC’s argument.
Governor Mbah had accused the NYSC of deliberately tarnishing his reputation by falsely asserting that he had not completed the required national youth service program. The court previously issued an interim injunction on May 15, prohibiting the NYSC from disowning the certificate of service submitted by the governor in support of his eligibility to run in the state’s governorship election.
Mbah testified that he received a certificate of service with the number A. 808297 on January 6, 2003, after completing his NYSC program following his law degree from the University of East London. He claimed that the NYSC’s disclaimer was aimed at damaging his reputation.
The NYSC and its Director of Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, are named as the defendants in the lawsuit. The NYSC filed an objection challenging the court’s authority to hear the case, arguing that the governor should have petitioned the Presidency instead of going directly to court.
However, the court ruled in favor of Governor Mbah, stating that Section 20 of the NYSC Act applies only to serving corps members and does not apply to him as he is neither a serving corps member nor an organization employee.
