Youth Organization Issues Apology to Benjamin Kalu and Suspends President

A faction of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), known as the Reform Caucus, has taken decisive action by suspending Goodluck Ibem from its leadership due to accusations of making an unauthorized and slanderous statement regarding the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

During a press conference, the caucus firmly denounced Ibem’s remarks, characterizing them as a rogue action that misrepresents the organization and undermines its reputation. "COSEYL is not for sale. Our name is not a commodity to be hawked in corridors of mischief,” stated the group.

The caucus presented a strong legal defense for Deputy Speaker Kalu, systematically addressing and refuting each claim made by Ibem in his petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

A key point in their defense was a jurisdictional argument: the allegations against Kalu reportedly occurred prior to his admission to the Nigerian Bar in September 2011, thereby placing them beyond the LPDC's purview.

According to the caucus, under the Legal Practitioners Act, the committee's authority is limited to examining the conduct of practicing lawyers within the scope of their legal practice — neither of which applies in Kalu's case.

Moreover, concerning accusations that Kalu attended Law School while simultaneously completing his NYSC service, the group claimed that there are no specific legal provisions forbidding such overlap. They noted that the NYSC Act only addresses the duration and continuity of service, without requiring exclusivity. They also pointed out that Ibem's petition failed to specify any rule that had been violated.

The caucus’s leadership, including Prince Ogbu Emmanuel (President), Barrister Somto Nwokoye (Secretary), and Nellobi Bright (Publicity Secretary), highlighted a significant contradiction in Ibem's petition: he himself recognized that Kalu had been duly called to the Bar and included the Call to Bar Certificate in his documents as evidence — a concession that, in their view, undermines any contestation of Kalu's enrolment as a legal practitioner.

They further rejected the fraud allegation, stating that fraud requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which Ibem's evidence fails to provide.

Regarding a declaration referenced in April 2010 in the petition, the group remarked that it was made prior to Kalu's Bar call by over a year, was not sworn under oath, and thus does not carry implications of criminal perjury — labeling any suggestions to the contrary as malicious. The caucus described the entirety of the petition as "frivolous, malicious, and politically motivated,” expressing confidence that any credible legal body would dismiss it out of hand.

Reinforcing their support for the Deputy Speaker, the caucus extolled Kalu as “one of NdiIgbo’s rising servant leaders” who holds a significant position within Nigeria's legislative framework and executes his responsibilities with notable dedication.

The organization expressed pride in his contributions to public service and affirmed that COSEYL's mission is to honor — rather than fabricate — allegations against leaders who serve the Igbo nation with integrity.