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Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, following the institution’s alleged refusal to release certified details of the academic records of National Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 and filed by his counsel Anderson Asemota on September 9, 2026, lists the Vice-Chancellor and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as 1st and 2nd respondents, praying the court for an order of mandamus compelling the university to fulfill its statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
According to court documents, Arabambi submitted a formal application on July 16, 2026, requesting a Certified True Copy of Certificate No. D000198 issued to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy in 1984, alongside associated graduation registers and Senate approval records.
Detailing the timeline of the non-compliance in the supporting affidavit, Arabambi stated: “The said request was duly delivered to and received by the respondents on 6th August, 2026.”
Affirming the legal basis of the demand, he added: “The applicant expressly made the request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and stated the public-interest and accountability basis for the request.”
Faulting the institution’s response, he noted: “The respondents failed and/or neglected to provide the requested information within the period prescribed by the Act.”
The applicant further explained that after receiving no written justification for the delay, a reminder letter was delivered to the university on September 1, 2026, as confirmed by delivery receipts from the Vice-Chancellor’s office.
Emphasizing the persistence of the breach, Arabambi stated: “As at the commencement of this action, the respondents have neither supplied the requested records nor issued a lawful written notice of refusal.”
Outlining the grounds for seeking judicial intervention, Arabambi affirmed that public institutions are bound by Section 4 of the FOI Act to respond to public interest requests within specified timeframes.
Addressing the default, he concluded: “The respondents did not communicate a lawful refusal identifying any applicable exemption. The failure therefore constitutes a refusal and/or deemed refusal under the Act.”
The core of Arabambi’s FOI application stems from alleged inconsistencies in the name variations across public documents submitted by Obi to electoral and educational authorities, with the matter currently awaiting formal assignment to a presiding judge.
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