A Labour Party chieftain has taken three Nigerian institutions to court in a bid to obtain official records linked to Peter Obi’s academic qualifications and national service. The cases, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja in September 2026, seek to compel WAEC, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps to release documents connected to the former Anambra State governor.
Abayomi Arabambi, a Labour Party figure and former party spokesman, brought the actions under Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act 2011.
The cases come as political attention begins to shift towards the 2027 presidential election, with Obi remaining one of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition politicians.
However, the legal actions do not amount to a finding that Obi forged or submitted invalid certificates. No court has made such a ruling in the proceedings reported so far.
Arabambi’s lawyers say the purpose of the cases is to obtain records held by the institutions and clarify information contained in documents attributed to Obi.
Three separate cases filed in Abuja
Court documents cited in the report show that Arabambi filed separate cases against WAEC and NYSC on 1 September 2026.
The case against WAEC is listed as FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, while the action involving NYSC is FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026.
A third case against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was filed on 9 September under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026.
Arabambi is asking the Federal High Court to issue an order of mandamus. In simple terms, this is an order directing a public institution or official to perform a legal duty where the court concludes that the duty should have been carried out.
His legal team argues that the institutions should provide the information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
Records sought from WAEC, UNN and NYSC
In the case against WAEC, Arabambi is seeking a certified copy of Certificate No. SC042560, said to have been issued in June 1978 in the name Obi Gregory Onwubuase.
The UNN case seeks records linked to Certificate No. D000198, including information relating to admission, academic study, graduation and the award of a degree.
Arabambi is also asking NYSC to provide records connected to Certificate No. 203495, which court papers cited in the report say was issued on 1 May 1986.
The applications also seek information that could explain how the names appearing on the different records were entered by the institutions.
Importantly, Arabambi’s legal team has said the applicant is not, at this stage, asking the court to determine whether Obi’s university certificate is genuine or forged.
Instead, the court is being asked to compel the institutions to release records that Arabambi says would allow the information to be checked.
That distinction matters because differences in names on official documents may require explanation, but they do not by themselves establish fraud, forgery or wrongdoing.
WAEC refused earlier information request
According to the court documents, WAEC had previously rejected Arabambi’s request for information.
The examination body reportedly relied on provisions of the Freedom of Information Act dealing with exemptions from disclosure.
Arabambi is now challenging that decision and wants the Federal High Court to determine whether the requested records should be released.
The report said that UNN and NYSC had also not provided the requested documents at the time the legal proceedings were filed.
Arabambi is further asking the court to require any institution relying on a legal exemption to clearly state what information is being withheld and the specific provision of the law being used.
No hearing date had been announced for the three cases at the time of the report.
Cases draw attention ahead of 2027 election
The legal action is likely to attract political attention because questions over candidates’ qualifications often become contentious during Nigerian election campaigns.
Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and remains a major political figure ahead of 2027.
Arabambi has previously raised questions about differences in names appearing on records linked to Obi. Those allegations remain claims unless established through verified institutional records or a competent court ruling.
The current proceedings are therefore best understood as Freedom of Information cases seeking access to documents, rather than cases in which wrongdoing has already been established.
Readers can follow further political developments on NewDailyPrime.
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