Court dismisses application seeking Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC record

Tunji Ojo

A federal high court in Abuja has declined a request seeking to compel the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to disclose details of the discharge certificate of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, held that the ex parte application did not meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

The application was filed by Emorioloye Owolemi, an activist, through his counsel, Philemon Yakubu.

Brought pursuant to order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and sections 1, 20 and 21 of the FOI Act 2011, the motion sought the court’s leave to inquire into the legality of the minister’s NYSC discharge certificate.

Owolemi specifically asked the court for an order of mandamus directing the NYSC management to release information contained in a letter dated November 17, 2025, regarding the minister’s discharge certificate.

The applicant also asked the court to compel the scheme to provide monthly clearance records from the location where Tunji-Ojo reportedly served prior to his alleged abscondment, as well as bank account details and financial information submitted during his 2006 NYSC registration.

He further sought all monthly allowance payment logs, including dates, amounts, bank schedules and the accounts to which payments were made, alongside official documentation showing the date, nature and status of the minister’s alleged abscondment.

Other documents requested included internal memos, queries, disciplinary reports or correspondence relating to the alleged abscondment, in addition to registration, posting, deployment and service records tied to the minister’s 2006 service year.

However, the judge held that the applicant did not demonstrate that he was acting in the public interest, as required under the FOI Act, and consequently declined the request.