The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application filed by activist, Emorioloye Owolemi seeking permission to inquire into the academic qualifications of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Naija News reports that Justice Binta Nyako granted the permission while ruling on an ex parte application brought before her by the social crusader.
Owolemi had approached the court to seek an order allowing him to investigate the authenticity of the Secondary School Certificate allegedly issued to the minister by the West African Examinations Council.
The activist premised his application on alleged discrepancies in the minister’s academic claims, urging the court to allow him to obtain and verify relevant records.
In a related development, another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Joyce Abdulmalik, on Friday (today) declined a similar request by the activist seeking to inquire into the discharge certificate allegedly issued to the minister by the National Youth Service Corps.
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The application, argued by Owolemi’s lead counsel, Philemon Yakubu, SAN, was brought pursuant to Order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019 and Sections 1, 20 and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The activist had sought an order of mandamus compelling the NYSC to provide information he requested in a letter dated November 17, 2025, regarding the discharge certificate of the Minister of Interior in the custody of the corps.
Among documents sought by the applicant were monthly clearance records indicating where the minister reportedly served before an alleged abscondment, bank account details and financial information submitted during his 2006 service year.
The request also covered monthly allowance payment logs, including dates, amounts, bank schedules and the accounts into which payments were made.
Additionally, the activist asked for official NYSC documentation detailing the date, nature and status of the minister’s alleged abscondment, as well as internal memos, queries, disciplinary reports and correspondences issued in relation to the matter.
He further requested registration, posting, deployment and service records associated with the minister’s 2006 NYSC service year.
However, after taking arguments on the ex parte application, Justice Abdulmalik refused to grant the request, holding that the applicant failed to demonstrate that he was acting in the public interest as required by law.
The judge ruled that the legal threshold necessary to compel the NYSC to release the information sought had not been met.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Yakubu said he would consult with his client to determine the next line of action.
He explained that the activist’s objective was to promote transparency, accountability and probity among public office holders in the country.
According to him, the legal steps taken were aimed at ensuring that public officials remain subject to scrutiny within the bounds of the law and that institutions entrusted with public records uphold openness and due process.
