By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have intensified pressure on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, over an alleged certificate scandal, warning that they will continue to expose more details until he steps down from office.
The coalition of CSOs made the declaration while addressing journalists, insisting that the Deputy Speaker should âcome out and save himself from the messâ by responding to the allegations surrounding his academic credentials.
According to the groups, failure by the Deputy Speaker to clarify the issues raised has raised concerns about transparency and accountability expected from holders of public office.
They also disclosed that a formal petition has been submitted to the Body of Benchers, the institution responsible for the formal call to the Nigerian Bar and discipline within the legal profession, urging the body to investigate the matter.
The CSOs maintained that the petition was necessary to preserve the integrity of the legal profession and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate sanctions.
âWe will continue to expose you more until you step down. The best thing is to come out and save yourself from this mess,â one of the activists said during the briefing.
The organisations further called on relevant authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the allegations, stressing that public officials must be held to the highest ethical standards.
As of the time of filing this report, the office of the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, had not issued an official response to the allegations and the petition submitted to the Body of Benchers.
The CSOs said they would continue to pursue the matter through legal and civic channels until the issues raised are thoroughly addressed.
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