Stella Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, has
threatened to sue the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) if does not retract
the allegation that she failed to complete her youth service.
In a May 24 letter, the NYSC had claimed that Oduah did not
complete the mandatory national youth service scheme.
According to Daily Trust, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NYSC
director-general, had said Oduah was mobilised for national service in 1982/83
and was deployed to Lagos — but absconded after the orientation.
He said: “The consequence of this is that she is not
qualified for the issuance of the certificate of national service.”
In a letter signed by Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, Oduah’s
media director, the senator described the allegation as “reckless” and
“scandalous”.
“Our attention has been called to your scandalous letter
referenced above in which you acknowledged that Sen. Stella Oduah was mobilized
for youth service in 1982 and served in the Lagos orientation camp but then
concluded that she ‘absconded’ and was not issued a certificate of discharge,”
the statement reads.
“That reckless statement which we consider grossly
irresponsible no doubt suggests that it was procured from you for political
considerations in favour of Sen. Oduah’s political detractors. We are shocked
that you condescended so low to make such false and unverified conclusions
which is damaging to her character and image.
“For the avoidance of
doubt, Sen. Oduah’s NYSC place of primary assignment was the popular Nigeria
Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). When a similar allegation was made
by her political contenders in 2017, NECA issued a letter dated 11th January
2017 Ref No: NECA/SELA/H4 confirming that she carried out her NYSC primary
assignment with them. Find attached a copy of that letter for reference as well
as a photograph of our client as a youth corper.
“That issue also attended litigation and she has a court
judgment in her favour in the case of Chinedu Emmanuel Emeka v. Princess Stella
Oduah , EPT/AWK/SEN/13/2019
“Ordinarily, one needs not be bothered about any other
similar allegations in the light of the aforesaid judgment and the fact that
NYSC is not a constitutional qualification to hold any public office in
Nigeria, but your statement has to a large extent defamed her.
“In your exact words, ‘after the orientation course, she
absconded’ It is curious how a person who had participated in all NYSC
activities at the Orientation Camp can be said to have “absconded” because she
left for her place of primary assignment as it was routine. It is either you
chose to ignore your record or your office has failed to keep proper records.
“You are by this
letter given 48 hours to retract your statement failing which legal actions
shall be commenced against you.”
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