A Labour Party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, has taken legal action against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), seeking access to official records linked to the academic credentials of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi.
The three separate suits, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are based on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
Arabambi is not asking the court to determine whether Obi’s certificates are genuine or forged. Instead, he wants the institutions to disclose existing records that could establish the status and details of certificates reportedly issued to the former Anambra State governor.
The plaintiff said he approached the three institutions independently for information but alleged that his requests were either rejected or left unanswered.
In the case involving WAEC, Arabambi is seeking a Certified True Copy of WAEC Certificate No. SC042560, reportedly issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase in June 1978.
He also wants UNN to provide existing academic and graduation records connected to Certificate No. D000198, including entries in its certificate register and records relating to the award of the degree.
For NYSC, Arabambi is seeking records connected to Certificate No. 203495, reportedly issued to “Obi, Gregory Peter-Onwubuase (Mr.)” on May 1, 1986.
A major issue raised in the NYSC suit is the appearance of the name “Peter-Onwubuase” in the organisation’s records and the documents upon which the certificate was issued.
Arabambi argued that the information should be disclosed because of the public interest attached to the credentials of individuals seeking elective public office.
WAEC, however, had rejected his request in a letter dated August 11, 2026, citing exemptions contained in the Freedom of Information Act.
Arabambi is asking the court to determine whether the institutions’ refusal or failure to provide the requested information amounts to a breach of their obligations under the FOI Act.
He is also seeking orders compelling UNN and NYSC to communicate the outcome of any verification carried out from their existing official records.
The plaintiff further wants the court to direct the institutions to identify any specific information they believe is exempt from disclosure and release all portions that are not covered by such exemptions.
He is also urging the court to apply the public-interest provisions of the FOI Act where it finds that disclosure is justified.
The suits against WAEC and NYSC were filed on September 1, 2026, while the action against UNN was filed on September 9.
No hearing date had been fixed for the cases as of Sunday.
