The academic credentials of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, have become the subject of fresh legal scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Labour Party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, has instituted separate legal actions against the West African Examinations Council, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps, seeking access to official records relating to certificates allegedly issued to Obi.
The suits, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are aimed at compelling the institutions to release the requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
Arabambi said his interest was not for the court to determine whether any of Obi’s certificates was genuine or forged, but to obtain the institutions’ own records so that the status and details of the documents can be independently established.
The action against WAEC is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, while the case involving NYSC is FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026. Both were filed on September 1, 2026. The separate suit against UNN, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9.
In the WAEC case, Arabambi is asking the court to compel the examination body to provide a Certified True Copy of a certificate identified as No. SC042560 and reportedly issued in June 1978.
His request to UNN centres on Certificate No. D000198. He is seeking access to the university’s certificate register, academic and graduation records, degree-award records, as well as other official documents connected with the certificate.
The plaintiff is similarly seeking NYSC records concerning Certificate No. 203495, reportedly issued to Obi in May 1986. He is also asking for documents showing the basis upon which the certificate was issued and records relating to the name under which it was registered.
According to the court documents, Arabambi had earlier approached the three institutions requesting the information.
WAEC reportedly rejected his request in a letter dated August 11, relying on provisions of the Freedom of Information Act concerning exemptions from disclosure. UNN and NYSC, however, were accused of failing to provide the requested information or formally explain their refusal.
Arabambi is therefore asking the Federal High Court to issue orders of mandamus compelling the institutions to respond to his requests and release information that is not legally exempt from disclosure.
He also wants the court to direct the respondents to identify any portions of the requested records they believe are protected from disclosure and state the specific legal provisions supporting such withholding.
The LP chieftain argued that his requests are driven by public interest, transparency and accountability, particularly because the documents concern a person seeking the country’s highest political office.
The legal challenge comes as political parties and their candidates begin preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.
The suits are yet to be assigned hearing dates, and the court has not made any determination on the claims contained in the applications.
