Abuja -October 20, 2026
The Merit Newspaper
A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to respond to court filings in a suit seeking to compel the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to release records relating to his national service.
Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the directive on Monday, October 19, 2026, giving the minister until the next hearing to file and serve his reply to a counter-affidavit opposing his application to join the suit as a party.
The court adjourned the matter until November 18, 2026, for further proceedings.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1812/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Pathway to Equity and Charity Foundation, which is seeking an order compelling the NYSC to disclose documents relating to the minister’s alleged completion of the mandatory one-year national service.
The foundation is also asking the court to direct the FCTA to produce records establishing whether Tunji-Ojo served his primary assignment with the administration during the relevant period.
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Among the documents sought from the NYSC are his mobilisation or call-up letter, posting letter, mobilisation application, approval for remobilisation, allowance payment records, community development service records, corps members’ “book of life” and discharge certificate.
The organisation is similarly requesting the FCTA to provide relevant posting documents, attendance records, allowance payment evidence and community development service records.
The action was brought under provisions of the Federal High Court Act, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
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The case followed an order granted by Justice Ibrahim on October 5, 2026, permitting the foundation to commence the legal action.
At Monday’s proceedings, the foundation’s counsel, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN), informed the court that he was ready to proceed with the hearing.
However, Abiola Olaniji, counsel appearing for Tunji-Ojo, told the court that an application had been filed seeking to join the minister as the third respondent.
Olaniji explained that the foundation had filed a counter-affidavit raising issues that required a response, adding that he needed time to address the allegations.
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The foundation opposed the minister’s bid to join the proceedings, arguing that the case concerned documents allegedly held by the NYSC and FCTA rather than the minister personally.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently directed Tunji-Ojo to file his response before the next hearing date.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Uchenna Ejimafor, chairman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, described the organisation as a non-governmental body involved in exposing alleged corruption, bribery and abuse of office in public and private institutions.
Ejimafor alleged that the foundation’s investigation raised questions about whether the minister served with the FCTA in 2006 or another year. He said the organisation approached the relevant authorities through its solicitors to obtain records for verification but had yet to receive the requested documents.
The foundation maintained that the authorities were required under the Freedom of Information Act to respond to its request within seven days and asked the court to compel the release of the records.
The controversy has previously attracted a response from the NYSC. In a letter dated August 8, 2023, the scheme stated that Tunji-Ojo was mobilised in 2006 and deployed to the Federal Capital Territory but subsequently absconded from the programme.
According to the letter, he resurfaced in 2019, was remobilised and posted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for his primary assignment.
The NYSC also explained that his certificate was unavailable during the passing-out parade because his name had been omitted from the certificate-printing application.
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The scheme stated that Tunji-Ojo applied for the certificate through the FCT State Coordinator on October 18, 2022, and that the application was forwarded to its headquarters. It added that certificate number A004523631 was produced on February 28, 2023, for collection.
The latest proceedings concern the foundation’s request for documentary disclosure and the minister’s application to participate in the case. The court is expected to continue hearing the matter on November 18, 2026.
