I never forged my credentials – Benjamin Kalu dismiss claims of forgery

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed claims of forging his credentials.

Speaking via a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the lawmaker insisted the allegations were politically motivated and unproven.

He was addressing claims made by a coalition of civil society groups concerning his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and attendance at the Nigerian Law School.

9news Nigeria reports that the Coalition had claimed that there were irregularities in the Deputy Speaker’s NYSC service record and legal training, threatening to occupy the National Assembly within 72 hours if authorities failed to act on the matter.

Responding, the Deputy Speaker’s office said the allegations were based on a petition that had neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority.

“For emphasis, the Deputy Speaker has never forged any credentials or falsified any official record,” the statement read.

It added that the allegations being circulated were “unproven claims arising from a petition that has neither been substantiated nor determined by any competent authority.”

The statement stressed that Kalu remains a qualified legal practitioner whose professional credentials have undergone several layers of verification throughout his career.

“It is important to recall that Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a process governed by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School with rigorous verification of academic and statutory requirements,” the statement said.

The Deputy Speaker’s office further stated that no legal authority had at any time invalidated his qualifications since his call to the bar.

“At no time since his call to the Bar has any competent legal authority invalidated his qualification or professional status,” the statement added.

The statement also described the allegations as part of a coordinated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the Deputy Speaker’s reputation.

The Deputy Speaker urged the public to allow relevant institutions to examine any petitions through due process.