The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to respond to an application seeking access to records of his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the directive after the minister’s counsel sought more time to respond to issues raised in the ongoing suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1812/2026.
The case was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Pathway to Equity and Charity Foundation, which is asking the court to compel the NYSC to release documents relating to Tunji-Ojo’s claim that he completed the mandatory one-year national service.
The foundation is also seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), listed as the second respondent, to produce records showing that the minister undertook his primary assignment with the administration.
When the matter was called, counsel to the applicant, Chief Solomon Akuma, SAN, told the court that he was ready to proceed with the hearing.
However, Abiola Olaniji, who appeared for the minister, informed the court that he had filed an application seeking to join Tunji-Ojo as the third respondent.
Olaniji said the foundation had filed a counter-affidavit raising serious issues, adding that he needed time to respond. He also stated that the minister was prepared to participate in the proceedings as an interested party.
Akuma opposed the application, arguing that the minister was not a necessary party to the suit because the reliefs sought concerned documents held by the NYSC and the FCTA.
He maintained that the case was specifically seeking an order of mandamus compelling the two institutions to release records that were not in the minister’s custody.
In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim directed Tunji-Ojo to file and serve his reply to the foundation’s counter-affidavit, which opposed his application to be joined in the suit, before the next hearing.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 18 for hearing.
Among the documents sought from the NYSC are Tunji-Ojo’s mobilisation or call-up letter issued in 2006 or any other year; his posting letter to the FCTA; and his application for mobilisation.
The foundation is also seeking evidence of approval of his remobilisation by the NYSC Director-General, records of allowance payments, his Community Development Service records and his discharge certificate.
From the FCTA, the applicant wants copies of the minister’s mobilisation or call-up letter, posting letter, attendance records for the service year and evidence of any allowances paid to him, among other documents.
The foundation said the suit was brought under Section 14 of the Federal High Court Act; Order 34, Rules 1, 2 and 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019; and Sections 20, 21 and 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
