Scandal: Finance minister Kemi Adeosun allegedly forged NYSC certificate
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun may be occupying that position illegally.
Adeosun allegedly forged her NYSC exemption certificate, according to a report by Premium Times.
The minister, who had earlier held a position as the commissioner of finance in Ogun State, graduated from University of East London in 1989, aged 22.
She, however, didn’t undergo the compulsory youth service, despite coming back to Nigeria to take up job roles.
The publication’s report says that Adeosun, nee Oguntomoju, forged the exemption certificate sometime in September 2009.
Some officials of the NYSC have been quoted as saying the minister’s exemption certificate is fake.
The report said the National Assembly detected the discrepancy and had resorted to blackmail the minister by making her release unnecessary funds.
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.
While 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.
