A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Abayomi Arabambi, has dragged the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to court, over the credentials of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi.

Arabambi, who is the sole plaintiff in three separate suits, based his action on the alleged refusal of the affected federal institutions to release details of Mr Obi’s academic record in their custody in line with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The suit against WAEC, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/, 2026, was filed on September 1, that against the UNN, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9, while that against the NYSC marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2063, was filed on September 1.

His lawyer, Anderson Asemota, who filed the three separate suits on his behalf, pointed out that his client is not asking the court to determine whether the certificates the NDC candidate attached to his Form EC 9, submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the purpose of the 2027 presidential election, were “genuine or forged” but merely seeking “disclosure of the respondents’ official records from which the status and particulars of the certificate may be ascertained”.

According to the plaintiff, he had written separately to the respondents demanding information concerning the certificates he believed they issued to Obi, but up till the time of filing the suits he was yet to receive the requested information or even communication on why the said information would not be given to him.

While claiming that the information sought is in the interest of the public and “for purposes of transparency and accountability concerning persons seeking public office”, Arabambi stated that he is not asking the respondents”to create any document or information which does not exist” but, “access only to existing official records within the custody, possession or control of the respondents”.

With regards to the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, Arabambi is specifically asking the court to compel WAEC to release a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the WAEC Certificate No. SC042560, issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase, in June 1978.

Similarly in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, Arabambi said he is seeking, “in particular, the University’s certificate register, academic records, graduation records, Senate/ degree-award records and other existing official records relevant to Certificate No. D000198, insofar as such records exist.

“That applicant is not asking this Court, in this proceeding, to pronounce that Certificate No. D000198 is genuine or forged.

“That rather, seek to ascertain what the University’s own official records disclose concerning the certificate”.

In the third suit, the LP chieftain explained that what he is simply seeking for is, “access to specifically identified official records relating to NYSC Certificate No. 203495, stated to have been issued to Obi, Gregory Peter-Onwubuase (Mr.) on May 1, 1986”.

Arabambi besides wants the “official record, certificate, document or other material upon which the said Certificate No.203495 was predicated, based or issued, insofar as the same is in the custody, possession or control of the respondents.

“That the request further sought information concerning the manner in which the name “Peter-Onwubuase” appears in the relevant NYSC records”.

According to court documents, while WAEC had on August 11, turned down the request of the plaintiff on grounds of the provisions of Sections 14(1)(a) and Section 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, both the UNN and NYSC neither granted the request nor gave any reason for their refusal.

The plaintiff wants the court to declare that, “the refusal of the respondents to furnish the applicant with the requested information as communicated in its letter dated 11th August, 2026;and in reliance on Section 14(1)(a) and Section 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 is erroneous”.

He is therefore asking the court to hold that his request made pursuant to the FOIA Act, 2011, “constitutes a valid request for information within the contemplation of the Freedom of Information Act.”

And that, “The failure therefore constitutes a refusal and/or deemed refusal under the Act”.

Arabambi is further asking the court for, “an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to communicate to the applicant the result of a verification of the particulars of Certificate No. D000198 from the University’s existing official records, including whether the said certificate and/or its particulars appear in those records”.

“An order of mandamus compelling the Respondents to communicate to the Applicant the result of their verification of Certificate No. 203495 as disclosed by their official records.

“An order directing the Respondents, if they contend that any part of the requested information is exempt from disclosure, to identify the particular information withheld and the precise statutory provision relied upon for the refusal, and to disclose all severable non-exempt portions.

“An order pursuant to Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act directing disclosure of the requested information where this Honourable Court finds that the Respondents are not authorised to deny access, have no reasonable grounds for denying access, or that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest served by withholding it”.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has been elected President of the Board of Governors of the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).

Anosike who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorogical Organization, would provide over the Continental body for four years.

The NiMet CEO was elected on 10 September 2026 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, during the 24th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Board of Governors, held back-to-back with the 22nd African Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF22).

As President of the Board, Professor Anosike is expected to provide strategic leadership in advancing stronger institutional governance, productive partnerships, and effective climate services for Africa, while supporting ACMAD’s mandate to enhance the application of weather and climate information for sustainable socio-economic development across the continent.

The election further reinforces NiMet’s strategic leadership position within Africa’s meteorological community and Nigeria’s commitment to advancing effective weather and climate services for the safety of lives and property; climate resilience; and stronger economies across the continent.

His emergence comes at a critical time when African countries are strengthening their capacities to anticipate, prepare for and respond to increasing weather and climate-related risks in line with the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.

The session brought together members of the ACMAD Board of Governors and key institutional partners to review progress and strengthen the strategic direction and governance of the Centre. The high-level opening featured Dr. Ousmane Ndiaye, Director-General of ACMAD; Dr. Adamou Aïssatou Sitta, Vice-President of the ACMAD Board and Director of Niger Meteorological Services; Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of the African Union Commission (AUC) Department of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE); and H.E. Georges Alé, Benin’s Minister of Living Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development.

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, has condemned the fatal stabbing of Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu, a public commentator, at his residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

Ojukwu said the Commission received with shock the report by the Kano State Police Command that Mr. Danshagamu was attacked by unknown assailants who forcibly entered his residence on Monday, 8 September 2026.

He noted that the victim was subsequently rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The Executive Secretary described the killing as a grave violation of the fundamental right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In a statement by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, the NHRC boss expressed particular concern about the implications of the killing for freedom of expression and civic participation, noting that Mr. Danshagamu was known for expressing views on governance and public policy.

According to him, citizens must be able to express their opinions, criticise public authorities and participate in public discourse without fear of violence, intimidation or reprisal.

Chief Ojukwu acknowledged that the Police had arrested two suspects and commenced investigation, but urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Kano State Police Command to treat the matter as one of urgent national importance.

He called for a prompt, thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, stressing that the authorities must establish not only those who carried out the attack but also the motive, sponsors, financiers, organisers and anyone who aided or facilitated the killing.

The learned Silk further demanded that all suspects against whom credible evidence is established be expeditiously prosecuted, warning that the investigation must not be allowed to stall or disappear into the system.
Chief Ojukwu called on the Federal Government, Kano State Government and all security agencies to immediately review and strengthen protective measures for journalists, bloggers, public commentators, human rights defenders and other citizens whose work or opinions may expose them to threats.

He warned that, as Nigeria approaches a critical political and electoral period, violence must never become a response to criticism, dissent or public commentary, stressing that democratic participation can only thrive where citizens are safe to speak, question and disagree.

The Chief Human Rights Officer of the country extended the Commission’s condolences to the family, friends and associates of the late Mr. Danshagamu and assured them that the NHRC would closely monitor the investigation and engage relevant authorities to ensure that justice is pursued to its logical conclusion.

The NHRC Boss stressed that “in a democracy, dissent is not a crime. Criticism must be answered with dialogue and accountability, not violence.”

He added that the time for condemnation alone was over, insisting that the perpetrators must be found, the truth established and justice done.