LP Chieftain Drags WAEC, UNN, NYSC To Court Over Obi’s Credentials

A chieftain of the Labour Party, LP, Abayomi Arabambi, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel WAEC, UNN and NYSC to disclose records relating to Peter Obi’s academic credentials.

Arabambi filed three separate suits against the institutions over what he described as their failure to provide information he requested under the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA.

The suits concern records allegedly linked to certificates submitted by Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2027 election.

Arabambi is the sole plaintiff in the three cases filed through his lawyer, Anderson Asemota.

The suit against WAEC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, was filed on September 1, 2026. The case against NYSC, FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026, was also filed on September 1.

The third suit, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, bears number FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 and was filed on September 9.

However, Arabambi stressed that he was not asking the court to determine whether Obi’s certificates were genuine or forged.

Instead, he wants access to existing official records that could establish the status and details of the certificates.

He said he had separately written to WAEC, UNN and NYSC seeking information about records linked to the certificates. According to him, the institutions had not provided the requested information.

He also said UNN and NYSC neither supplied the information nor explained their refusal before he approached the court.

Arabambi argued that the information serves the public interest, particularly in promoting transparency and accountability around people seeking public office.

He maintained that his request does not require the institutions to create new documents. Rather, he wants access to records already in their custody, possession or control.

In the WAEC case, Arabambi specifically wants a Certified True Copy of WAEC Certificate No. SC042560. The certificate was allegedly issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase in June 1978.

His case against UNN focuses on Certificate No. D000198. He wants the university to disclose its certificate register, academic records and graduation records relating to the certificate.

He also seeks relevant Senate and degree-award records, as well as other official documents that may establish what the university’s records show about the certificate.

The plaintiff again stressed that he was not asking the court to declare the certificate genuine or forged.

He wants UNN to disclose whether the certificate and its particulars appear in its existing official records.

The NYSC case centres on Certificate No. 203495, which the documents state was issued to Obi, Gregory Peter-Onwubuase, on May 1, 1986.

Arabambi is seeking access to the official records or other materials upon which the certificate was based or issued.

He also wants information on how the name “Peter-Onwubuase” appears in the relevant NYSC records.

Court documents show that WAEC rejected Arabambi’s request in a letter dated August 11, 2026.

The examination body cited Sections 14(1)(a) and 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act as grounds for its decision.

Arabambi has challenged the refusal, asking the court to declare it erroneous.

He also wants the court to affirm that his FOIA request constitutes a valid request for information under the law.

The LP chieftain further wants the court to hold that failure to provide the requested records amounts to refusal or deemed refusal under the Act.

Among the reliefs he seeks is an order of mandamus compelling UNN to communicate the outcome of its verification of Certificate No. D000198.

He is seeking a similar order against NYSC regarding Certificate No. 203495 and the information contained in its official records.

Arabambi also wants the court to direct the institutions to identify any information they consider exempt from disclosure.

Where exemptions apply, he wants the respondents to disclose all severable portions that do not fall under the exemptions.

He further invoked Section 25 of the FOIA, asking the court to order disclosure where the institutions lack reasonable grounds to withhold the information.

The case comes as political parties and candidates begin preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with questions surrounding candidates’ credentials likely to attract increased public scrutiny.