The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s (LPDC) decision to reject the complaint against House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu was applauded by the Center for Responsible Governance (CRG), which described the decision as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
Obande George, the Center’s spokesperson, said in a news release over the weekend that the disciplinary body’s decision has once again upheld the Deputy Speaker and confirmed the CRG’s earlier stance that the accusations against him were baseless.
In its decision, which cited BB/LPDC/1954/2026, the LPDC dismissed the complaint in its entirety, concluding that there was no prima facie case against the Deputy Speaker.
George claims that rather than making snap decisions in the court of public opinion, the ruling highlights the significance of letting qualified organizations investigate accusations impartially.
The Center for Responsible Governance has always argued that justice must be served. We argued that reputable organizations ought to be free to investigate the problems without being subjected to sensationalism or political pressure. The LPDC’s decision has now unequivocally demonstrated that the accusations were unfounded, he stated.
The CRG spokesperson went on to say that the ruling upholds the Deputy Speaker’s stellar reputation, which he has developed over the years as both a politician and a lawyer.
Honorable Benjamin Kalu is a well-known member of the Nigerian Bar and a skilled legislator. Some people’s attempts to damage his reputation by making baseless accusations were regrettable and needless.
Additionally, CRG denounced the acts of some civil society organizations who demanded the Deputy Speaker resign from office without waiting for the competent authorities to make a formal decision.
Such calls, according to George, were premature and reckless, adding to the politicization of an issue that needed serious institutional evaluation.
“It is disheartening that certain civil society organizations moved quickly to demand the Deputy Speaker resign without giving due process a chance to be completed. Facts and justice, not sensational pressure, should be the driving forces behind accountability advocacy.
The group also denounced what it called the part played by certain South East political figures who purportedly tried to take advantage of the incident for their own limited political agendas.
It is concerning, according to CRG, that some politicians would try to discredit one of their own in order to gain a temporary political benefit.
The fact that some South East political players were keen to turn this issue as a weapon in an effort to overthrow one of their own for quick political advantage is even more unsettling. Such acts undermine the spirit of solidarity necessary for national growth and impede collective political advancement.
Therefore, CRG urged Nigerians to take note of the incident and reiterate their respect for the rule of law and institutional procedures.
The organization emphasized that instead of rumors or politically motivated campaigns, public conversation must be led by facts, justice, and responsible participation.
The lesson here is straightforward: before drawing any conclusions, accusations must be investigated by qualified organizations. Only when due process is upheld and reputations are not carelessly damaged can Nigeria’s democracy become more robust.
In closing, CRG praised the Deputy Speaker for remaining composed and dignified during the issue, pointing out that his poise demonstrated faith in the legal system.
