Alleged contempt: Enugu Gov, Mbah asks Court to jail NYSC DG

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commenced commital proceedings against the Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, over alleged disobedience to court order of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

Already the Governor has through his counsel, Emeka Ozoani (SAN), filed Form 49 before justice Inyang Ekwo he court in accordance with Order IX, Rule 13, Judgment Enforcement Rules of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, CAP. S6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The governor alleged that Ahmed flouted the order of the court made on May 15, restraining him or his agency from issuing, publishing or continued to issue, publish disclaimer to the effect that the NYSC certificate of national service dated Jan. 6, 2003, with certificate number: A808297 was not issued by the corps.

Form 48 attached to application reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be quilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

However, contrary to the order, the NYSC DG had during an interview on Arise News “Morning Show” on May 19 alleged that Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was not issued by the agency,
Consequently, the governor filed Form 49 praying the court to commit the DG to prison for contempt of court.

“The plaintiff apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court,” it read in part.

Although the matter was scheduled for today (Friday) for motion, the court did not sit.

Consequently, the case was adjourned until July 4.

Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on Jan.6, 2003.

Consequently, Justice Ekwo, on May 15, made an order restraining the NYSC, Muhammad and any of their agents from engaging in such publication pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The order followed an ex-parte motion moved by Mbah’s counsel, Mr Ozoani.

The judge, however, did not grant the second prayer, saying it was far-reaching.

Ozoani had brought the motion under Section 13(1) & (2) of the FHC Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds.

Mbah averred that after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, retuned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.

Mbah said upon completing the bar part I exam, he had to wait for the bar part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.

He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.

“The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam.

“Thereafter, the plaintiff was remobilised to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete.”

Mbah further averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated Jan.6 2003″ the motion read.

But in a preliminary objection dated and filed on May 22 by the 1st and 2nd defendants, they prayed for an order dismissing or striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction and competence.

Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the Enugu state governorship election held in March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission.