Lagos Based Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, Challenges The Appointment of Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim As NYSC DG By The Nigerian Army, Says Its Illegal

Lagos Based Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Inibehe Effiong has instituted an action before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, challenging the appointment and posting of Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim as the Director-General of the National Youth Corp Service by the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

In the case with Suit No: FHC/L/CS/764/2019, made available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL) and brought against the office of the President of the Federal Republic, the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and the Attorney General of the federation, the plaintiff, Inibehe Effiong, has asked whether in view of the extant provisions of Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N 84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, any other authority or person outside the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can validly appoint the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps; and also, whether having appointed the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, in total violation of the provisions of Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corp Act, Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army, have not acted ultra vires their powers under the Armed Forces Act.

Arguing the proprietary or otherwise of the said appointment, the plaintiff, Inibehe Effiong is seeking the following reliefs to wit: A Declaration that by the provisions of Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corp Act, Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, neither the Chief of Army Staff nor the Nigerian Army can appoint the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps; A Declaration that by provisions of Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corp Act, Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the sole appointing authority of the Director General of the National Youth Corp Service remains the President of Nigeria; A Declaration that the appointment of the 5th Defendant as the Director-General of the National Youth Corp Service by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants is contrary to the provisions of Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is therefore invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever; An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the appointment and posting of Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim as the Director-General of the National Youth Corp Service by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants; and AN Order of the Honourable Court restraining the 2nd and 3rd Defendants from usurping the powers reserved for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Section 5 (1) of the National Youth Service Corp Act vis-à-vis the appointment of the Director-General of the National Youth Corp Service.

The application is supported with a 27 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by the plaintiff, Mr. Inibehe Effiong. Following the application is a list of exhibits to be relied upon, a certificate of authentication of computer generated documents and a written address in support.

TheNigerialawyer (TNL) recalls the Chief of Army Staff had earlier appointed and posted Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim as the Director-General of the National Youth Corp Service which has led to comments in the legal community as an abnormally.