The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law has taken legal action against the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and music promoter Kenny Ogungbe, alleging violations of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act.
In the suit marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary Funmi Adeogun are the plaintiffs, while Hannatu Musawa, Kenny Ogungbe, NYSC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria are the first to fourth defendants.
The plaintiffs contend that the mobilization of Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after surpassing the age of 30 was unlawful and an affront to patriotism. They also claim that the national service and certificates issued to Musawa and Ogungbe by the NYSC are null and void.
The suit seeks a declaration that, according to Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, the defendants are not entitled to be employed without possessing and presenting their NYSC certificates. Additionally, it calls for a declaration that Musawa is not entitled to hold the office of Minister or any public office after allegedly violating the NYSC Act.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria had previously accused Musawa in August 2023 of serving as a minister while undertaking the NYSC scheme. In October 2023, social media stirred when Ogungbe shared a photo of himself in NYSC uniform, announcing the completion of NYSC at the age of 53. As of now, efforts to reach Musawa for comment have been unsuccessful.
