The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is facing fresh legal scrutiny after the Federal High Court granted an application seeking to investigate his academic qualifications.
Justice Binta Nyako approved the request on Friday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by an activist, Mr. Emorioloye Owolemi. The application asked the court for permission to inquire into the Secondary School Certificate reportedly issued to the minister by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Owolemi based his request on alleged discrepancies in the academic claims linked to the certificate.
In a related development, another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declined a similar application by the activist seeking to probe the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly issued to the minister.
Arguing the motion, Owolemi’s lead counsel, Philemon Yakubu, said the ex parte application was brought under Order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019, as well as Sections 1, 20, and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. He urged the court to compel the National Youth Service Corps to release information requested in a letter dated November 17, 2025, concerning the minister’s discharge certificate.
The reliefs sought included records of monthly clearances, details of the place of service, bank account and financial information submitted during the minister’s 2006 NYSC registration, as well as monthly allowance payment logs. The application also requested documents relating to the alleged abscondment, including internal memos, disciplinary reports, and service-year records.
However, Justice Abdulmalik refused the application after hearing arguments, holding that the applicant failed to demonstrate that he was acting in the public interest, as required by law.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Yakubu said he would consult with his client to determine the next step, adding that the suit was driven by a desire to promote transparency, accountability, and probity among public office holders.
