The Nigerian government has said it is still
investigating the case of the alleged certificate forgery of the Minister of
Finance Kemi Adeosun.
The
presidency noted that it will take the appropriate action immediately details
of the investigations are made public.
This
is coming 60 days after Adeosun was alleged to have forged a National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC) certificate after an investigation by an online newspaper,
Premium Times.
“The
minister of information has spoken on the matter. And a process is ongoing to
address the allegations. When that process is complete, Nigerians will know the
outcome,” said senior special assistant on media and publicity to the President
Buhari, Garba Shehu, on AIT’s Kaakaki.
“It’s
an allegation. If it is proven, you will see what will happen. The minister,
Adeosun and the NYSC have spoken on the matter.”
When
challenged on the length of time the ‘investigation’ was taking, Shehu said:
“It is not for me to decide (the duration). I don’t have the full facts of the
matter, so why the investigation is not out, I don’t know. I hope there will be
an early outcome.
Section
13 of the NYSC 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.
Section
13 (3) of the law also prescribes three-year jail term or option of N5, 000
fine for anyone who contravenes the provision of the law.
Subsection
4 of the same section also criminalises giving false information or illegally
obtaining the agency’s certificate. It provides for up to a three-year jail
term for such offenders.
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