₦airaland Forum

PREMIUM TIMES revealed how Ms Adeosun skipped the mandatory national youth service and procured a forged certificate purporting to exempt her from the one-year exercise.

by Kabir Yusuf


Former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun has again attempted to mislead the public regarding the certificate forgery scandal that led to her resignation in 2018.

In an interview with Channels Television aired on Friday, Ms Adeosun framed the controversy around her exit from government as merely an allegation that she “graduated at 22, skipped NYSC, and therefore the certificate I presented must have been forged.”

However, that narrative misrepresents the facts established by a PREMIUM TIMES investigation.

The investigation was not just about whether Ms Adeosun was required to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. It was mainly about her submission of a forged exemption certificate.

PREMIUM TIMES revealed how Ms Adeosun skipped the mandatory national youth service and procured a forged certificate purporting to exempt her from the one-year exercise.

The former minister went on to use the document to secure high-profile employment, including her appointment as a commissioner in Ogun State and later as Nigeria’s finance minister.

Following the investigation, Ms Adeosun was forced to resign from office on 14 September 2018. In her resignation letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari, she admitted that she realised the NYSC certificate she submitted for her ministerial appointment “was not genuine” after the PREMIUM TIMES report.

Although she claimed in the letter that she did not know the certificate was forged and had relied on associates who helped her obtain it after her return from the United Kingdom, she acknowledged the findings of the investigation as true.

Activists and civil society groups demanded her prosecution for forgery, insisting that if everyday Nigerians were found guilty of such an offence, they would be prosecuted. However, the government declined to prosecute her.

In contrast to her admittance of guilt in her resignation letter, her recent interview sought to reframe the issue as a debate about NYSC eligibility. She did not repeat the admission contained in her 2018 resignation letter regarding the forged certificate.

False Claim on reason for resignation
Ms Adeosun also described her resignation as a “principled decision” rather than an admission of wrongdoing.

She said she stepped aside to protect the integrity of public office, especially as she had decided to challenge the matter in court.

“People kept asking, Why did I resign? That no one resigns as Minister of Finance as I did. I still think it was the right thing for me to do,” she said.

“My resignation is a matter of principle and not an admission of wrongdoing. It was a step to protect the Office of the Minister of Finance and defend my reputation.”


Resignation not out of principle

Mrs Adeosun claimed during the Channels interview that she resigned out of principle and that the government was silent and took no action for three months after she was exposed.

Both claims are false.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the allegations against Ms Adeosun were investigated. A committee led by then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, examined the matter and confirmed that her NYSC exemption certificate was forged.

Mr Mustapha started by first directing Ms Adeosun to issue a press statement on the matter. But she rejected the advice. This prompted Mr Mustapha to fire her repeated queries and reminders, all of which she neither acknowledged nor addressed, PREMIUM TIMES reported at the time.

Consequently, the SGF wrote to the NYSC via its supervising Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, demanding the scheme’s position on the scandal. The NYSC responded to Mr Mustapha, telling the SGF that Ms Adeosun, indeed, forged her certificate as reported.

Mr Mustapha then prepared a report for the then president, in which he confirmed that all elements of PREMIUM TIMES’ investigation were true and recommended that Mrs Adeosun was no longer fit as a cabinet minister.

Her resignation, therefore, was not a voluntary or principled act but the direct outcome of the investigation’s findings.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported that Ms Adeosun was barred from a Federal Executive Council meeting and was instructed, through Mr Buhari’s Chief of Staff, to submit her resignation.

The resignation was presented as a final chance to preserve what remained of her integrity.

Following the investigation by the SGF and NYSC, and subsequent presidential order for her resignation, Ms Adeosun tendered her resignation.

President Buhari accepted Mrs Adeosun’s resignation, in which she admitted the document was forged and acknowledged the findings of the SGF’s committee.

“I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine,” Ms Adeosun wrote in her resignation letter about the PREMIUM TIMES investigation that precipitated her ouster. “This has come as a shock to me, and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.”


More claims in the Interview

In the Channels TV interview, Mrs Adeosun also claimed that “powerful enemies” within the Buhari administration exploited the controversy as an opportunity to remove her from office.

“I’m not confused about the fact that I had powerful enemies who I believed saw an opportunity. Let’s get rid of her,” she said.

She claimed to have had a final conversation with Mr Buhari, during which she informed him of her decision to resign and go to court to clear her name, suggesting that her resignation was voluntary.

According to her, the former president supported her decision.

Explaining why she did not remain in office while pursuing legal action, the former minister said, “I can’t be attending local and international meetings as Minister of Finance and also appearing in court in a case of integrity and reputation.”


The Court Case

Following the suit she filed, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Mrs Adeosun did not breach any law by being appointed as a minister in 2015 without participating in the NYSC scheme.

The issue of forgery, however, was not before the court, as the federal government declined to prosecute her on that count.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that Ms Adeosun, who graduated from the University of East London in 1989 at the age of 22, was a British citizen at the time and therefore not eligible to participate in the NYSC scheme.

The court was silent on the alleged forged certificate because it was not presented before it.

The failure of the police and other relevant authorities to prosecute Mrs Adeosun for forgery has, therefore, allowed her to continue to claim that the court cleared her.

The former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, also failed to defend the federal government in the case she brought to court; neither did he appeal the ruling.

The judge, in granting her prayers, noted that Mr Malami, who is being prosecuted for fraud in an unrelated case, as the sole defendant, conceded to the suit.

“It is my finding, which was not challenged (by the Attorney General of the Federation), that by the time she (Adeosun) moved back to Nigeria in 2003, she was not eligible under the NYSC Act to serve in the National Youth Service Corps scheme. “In fact, it would have been a criminal offence if she had participated in the NYSC under any guise,” Justice Taiwo ruled.

The judge further ruled that by the time she returned to Nigeria in 2003 and became a Nigerian citizen at over 30 years old, she was no longer eligible for NYSC participation. He added that an NYSC certificate was not a requirement for ministerial appointment or for contesting legislative elections.

Justice Taiwo did not review the procurement of the forged NYSC exemption certificate that Ms Adeosun submitted for her screening ahead of her 2015 appointment, as the matter was not presented before the court.

“For the avoidance of doubt, participation in the NYSC scheme is not a yardstick to be elected into any of the legislative houses or for ministerial appointment,” the judge ruled, granting all the reliefs sought by the former minister.


Violating Laws

Nigerian laws prescribe punishment for anyone who absconds from the NYSC scheme or forges its certificates.

Eligible Nigerians who skip the service are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/or a N2,000 fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law.

Section 13 (3) of the law also prescribes a three-year jail term or a N5,000 fine for anyone who contravenes the provisions of the law.

Subsection 4 of the same section also criminalises giving false information or illegally obtaining the agency’s certificate. It provides for a jail term of up to three years for such offenders.

Perjury is also a criminal offence.

Section 117 of the Criminal Code Act says a person commits perjury if they: Lawfully take an oath (or affirmation), and knowingly give false testimony on a material matter, or make a statement they do not believe to be true

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/847325-kemi-adeosun-attempts-to-mislead-public-again-on-nysc-certificate-scandal.html

Listened to her interview and was baffled @her confidence in spewing out this shameless narrative. It is only in Nigeria that a criminal deny the fact even if caught red-handed. Spits!

Like Kemi like Nnaji.

But selective justice is the highest form of injustice. The Agbado master has a case of certificate forgery. Even the man that stopped where the Agbado master has continued had a case of certificate forgery. Indeed, some people are above the law.

Putinofrussia:
Ibikunle fighting back through this long epistle.
Kemi is the first minister to resign in the history of Nigeria.
She kept her honour.

Una sabi twist things.

First, she forged a certificate. Second, she resigned because she was exposed and opposed by those more powerful than she. So, where is the honour?

We're not interested in this nonsense.

Abeg when will Donald Trump come and take Tinubu? We're soooo proud of Donald Chukwuebuka Hassan ayodele Trump for his good works for humanity

She didn't serve, period and she doctored are certificate.

Person wey Nigerian government suppose send special forces go country wey she dey hide extract her like Trump did to Venezuelan president so, she can be tried here.

Well, Nigerian government won't do it because Tinubu na the Leader of Oluwole Certificate.

Woman has suddenly found her voice because she knows her Kinsman Leading the affair of this country is senile.

Premium Times was the media they used as an attack dog against this woman. They have resumed their attacks against her once again.

This woman is a UK trained accountant, she has integrity to the T.

Ibikunle fighting back through this long epistle.
Kemi is the first minister to resign in the history of Nigeria.
She kept her honour.

It’s well

You tried your best

Most of Nigerian rulers are ruling with fake certificates hence the situation of the 🌽3

She is desperately looking for another scandalous appointment from Bolavh Tinubuvkh


If Reno Omockery can be happointed, Bolavh should please happoint Kemi

Making mouth again on criminal offence. Apc govt ehnn

She wants to return to partake of Tinubu reckless spending of National wealth obtained from ND oil money.

lol…I think say na only me dey reason am…aunty should just answer this simple question…your forge abi you no forge NYSC certificate wey you present

She's politically done in Nigeria

immortalcrown:
Like Kemi like Nnaji.

But selective justice is the highest form of injustice. The Agbado master has a case of certificate forgery. Even the man that stopped where the Agbado master has continued had a case of certificate forgery. Indeed, some people are above the law.

I think they should first open book about Panama tax heaven of Pitobi, he shouldn't excape justice because, headless online mobs foolishly surporting him.

Everyone is a saint when you have your paddy in power. Remember PBAT recommended her ministerial appointment.

I was also surprised when I watched the interview. Her narrative was completely different from what led to her leaving Nigeria and also instructing her PA to submit her resignation letter afterward.

You cannot support tinubu if you're not corrupt.

Fiscus105:
I think they first open book about Panama save heaven of pitobi, he shouldn't excape justice because, headless online mobs foolishly surporting him.

This is sadly not about PO so focus on the topic of a deceitful ex-minister.

Racoon:
Listened to her interview and was baffled @her confidence in spewing out this shameless narrative. It is only in Nigeria that a criminal deny the fact even if caught red-handed. Spits!

What she said was the actual facts. You are the one spewing out rubbish as usual for your social media fans.

We got the fact and know what transpired at the Senate since 2015 before the plot to bring an inexperienced Finance Minister in order to loot the economy dry. It was in an attempt to coverup the inefficiencies that EMEFIELE became the Defacto Minister of Finance and Chairman of BUHARI's Economic Team thereby muddling up Fiscal and Monetary Policies together which finally destroyed the economy.

They removed her to run the country without Economic Team and Team Lead. EMEFIELE tried to coverup for them but it was a looting game.

The only thing you do on nairaland is to suppress facts for fiction and ban account and delete posts.

This is somebody that is still supposed to be in prison . A typical example of a country where institutions are not working

dre11:
PREMIUM TIMES revealed how Ms Adeosun skipped the mandatory national youth service and procured a forged certificate purporting to exempt her from the one-year exercise.





https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/847325-kemi-adeosun-attempts-to-mislead-public-again-on-nysc-certificate-scandal.html

Those who advised her to forged NYSC ruined her and it was deliberate calculation

If to sey the country good, dey suppose to dey jail anybody wey dem catch wey forge result ni

[quote author=Racoon post=138011727]Listened to her interview and was baffled @her confidence in spewing out this shameless narrative. It is only in Nigeria that a criminal deny the fact even if caught red-handed. Spits!

Imagine the lies from Adeosun?.
Now ,they are dusting her up to smell like a rose because the finance minister must be a YORUBA as they are at the verge of dumping WALE EDUN.😰

Putindbutt:
Premium Times was the media they used as an attack dog against this woman. They have resumed their attacks against her once again.

This woman is a UK trained accountant, she has integrity to the T.

Did she forge or she did not forge the result ?

Premium times and flaws in their write up

She said in an interview that the forged exemption cert was issued to her by some of the NYSC officials

How is that her fault that government officials are generating fake document

free2ryhme:
Those who advised her to forged NYSC ruined her and it was deliberate calculation

She was not advised to forge NYSC Certificate of EXEMPTION. She never said she served NYSC. NYSC confirmed she applied for Certificate of EXEMPTION through Nigeria High Commission in London, but she was not replied. How and where she got the Forged Certificate of EXEMPTION in UK should be a matter of Investigation.

She doesn't need the NYSC Certificate of EXEMPTION or NYSC Certificate of Discharge for anything and for her appointment as Minister of Finance.

The Senate under SARAKI should have removed the Certificate since 2015 but decided to use it to threaten her to dance to their wish.