The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to file and serve his response in a suit seeking the disclosure of records relating to his National Youth Service Corps programme.
Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the directive on Monday, October 19, 2026, after counsel to the minister requested additional time to respond to a counter-affidavit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Pathway to Equity and Charity Foundation.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1812/2026, seeks to compel the National Youth Service Corps and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to release documents concerning the minister’s participation in the mandatory one-year national service programme.
The foundation is asking the court to order the NYSC to produce documents supporting the minister’s reported claim that he completed the programme and served his primary assignment with the FCTA.
The documents requested include his mobilisation or call-up letter, posting letter, application for mobilisation, evidence of approval for remobilisation, records of allowances paid, Community Development Service records and discharge certificate.
The organisation is also seeking records from the FCTA, including posting documents, attendance records and evidence of allowances paid during the service year.
When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the foundation, Chief Solomon Akuma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that he was ready to proceed with the case.
However, Abiola Olaniji, who represented Tunji-Ojo, informed the court that the minister had filed an application seeking to be joined as the third respondent in the suit.
Olaniji explained that the foundation had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application and that he needed additional time to respond to the issues raised.
He added that the minister was willing to participate in the proceedings as an interested party.
Akuma opposed the application, arguing that Tunji-Ojo was not a necessary party because the substantive suit sought to compel the NYSC and the FCTA to release documents allegedly held by the two institutions.
Following the arguments, Justice Ibrahim directed the minister to file and serve his reply before the next hearing, scheduled for November 18, 2026.
The foundation’s chairman, Uchenna Ejimafor, stated in a 25-paragraph affidavit supporting the suit that the organisation sought the records to verify information concerning the minister’s national service.
The foundation alleged that its investigations raised questions about his service history and said its requests for the relevant documents had not been satisfied.
The controversy surrounding Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC records had previously attracted public attention following questions about his service history and the circumstances surrounding the issuance of his discharge certificate.
However, the present court order is procedural. It does not compel the immediate release of the requested documents and does not establish that the minister failed to complete his national service.
The court is yet to determine whether Tunji-Ojo should be formally joined in the proceedings or whether the NYSC and FCTA must disclose the records sought by the foundation.
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