Adeosun’s official credentials
showed that she parades a purported fake NYSC exemption certificate, which was
issued in September 2009, granting her exemption from the mandatory service on
account of age.
Despite the weight of the
allegation, the minister has not reacted to enquiries by journalists.
However, ThisDay reports that the
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba
Shehu, last night said he was yet to be briefed on the forgery allegation.
“Well, I have not been briefed on
this. I haven’t heard of it being spoken. I am completely unaware of anything,”
he said in response to questions on what President Muhammadu Buhari was doing
about the allegation.
Expectedly, the opposition
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had at the weekend called on Buhari to sack and
prosecute Adeosun based on the allegation.
NYSC is compulsory for all
Nigerians who graduate from universities or equivalent institutions at less
than 30 years of age.
In addition to being a
requirement for government and private sector jobs in Nigeria, the enabling law
prescribes punishment for anyone who absconds from the scheme or forges its
certificates.
Eligible Nigerians who skipped
the service are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/or N2,000
fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law.
Section 13 (3) of the law also
prescribes three-year jail term or option of N5,000 fine for anyone who
contravenes provision of the law as Adeosun has done.
Subsection 4 of the same section
also criminalises giving false information or illegally obtaining the agency’s
certificate. It provides for up to three-year jail term for such offenders.
Adeosun graduated from the
Polytechnic of East London in 1989, at 22. According to her curriculum vitae,
the finance minister was born in March 1967.
Letthe NYSC organization to respond and clear the dout
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