DSS, Police Urged to Probe, Prosecute Alleged Fake News Peddlers Targeting Benjamin Kalu
The Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) and the Freelance Journalists Federation (FJF) have called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to identify and prosecute individuals allegedly responsible for spreading false information against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the groups alleged that recent claims circulating against the Deputy Speaker were part of a coordinated attempt by opposition elements to undermine his rising political profile.
Speaking through their conveners, Solomon Semeka and Ibrahim Akawe Joseph, the coalition said certain faceless groups posing as activists had been spreading what they described as baseless allegations regarding Kalu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Law School records.
According to the groups, the claim that the Deputy Speaker illegally combined his NYSC programme with Law School training is “entirely fictitious” and a recycled allegation aimed at damaging his reputation.
“We wish to remind the public that a petition on this same matter was previously submitted to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). After a thorough review, the LPDC dismissed the petition for lacking merit, effectively putting the matter to rest,” the groups stated.
They added that both organisations conducted independent checks into the allegations and found no evidence to support the claims.
“Our findings confirm that the Deputy Speaker complied with all statutory requirements of the Nigerian legal profession and the NYSC scheme. There is no documentary or factual evidence to support the allegations being circulated by his detractors,” they said.
The groups further alleged that the smear campaign was politically motivated and linked to the build-up to the 2027 governorship election in Abia State.
“It has become increasingly clear that this campaign of calumny is driven by fear ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Abia State. Certain politicians appear threatened by the growing popularity of the Deputy Speaker and his support for the President’s Renewed Hope agenda. Unable to match his legislative performance and political influence, they have resorted to character assassination,” they claimed.
They also alleged that their organisations were approached by sponsors of the purported smear campaign but declined to participate.
“To set the record straight, our organisation was approached about two weeks ago by some of these sponsors to lead the smear campaign. We declined outright. As organisations committed to national development, we refuse to participate in the blackmail of a performing public official who was recently recognised with a Best Lawmaker Award,” they added.
The coalition said it is compiling a dossier on what it described as fake civil society organisations and their alleged sponsors, which would be submitted to security agencies for investigation.
“We are already gathering evidence on these fake CSOs and their political sponsors. This dossier will soon be submitted to the appropriate security agencies to ensure those behind these malicious acts are exposed and held accountable,” they said.
The groups maintained that credible civil society organisations across the country remain supportive of the Deputy Speaker and urged the public to disregard further attempts to revive the allegations.
“These narratives and staged protests are the handiwork of political merchants hired to distract a public servant who remains committed to nation-building,” the coalition said.
They therefore urged the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.
“This is a deliberate attempt to defame a high-ranking public official and incite public distrust. We are submitting a formal petition to the relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law,” they said.
They added that Benjamin Kalu remains a key figure in the 10th National Assembly, urging Nigerians to disregard what they described as malicious narratives aimed at damaging his reputation ahead of political contests in Abia State.
