A non-governmental organisation, Human and Environmental Development
Agenda Resource Centre, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police,
calling for the probe of the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, over
media reports alleging that she forged an exemption certificate of the
National Youth Service Corps.
HEDA, in the petition by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said it wanted
Adeosun prosecuted should the forgery allegation be established.
Also, an anti-corruption group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability
Project, challenged the minister to break her silence and respond to
the allegation.
In a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, SERAP
asked Adeosun to show responsibility by responding to the allegation,
which had been in the public domain for more than a week.
SERAP described Adeosun’s continued silence on the allegation as a
betrayal of Nigerians, warning that her silence would weaken public
trust in the Federal Government’s claim of commitment to transparency
and accountability.
On its part, HEDA said Adeosun, as well as officials of the Department
of State Services who cleared her for ministerial appointment, should be
prosecuted if the forgery allegation was true.
HEDA said, “We are convinced, beyond reasonable doubt, that the NYSC
could not have issued an exemption certificate to Mrs Adeosun who does
not fall within the category of those classified for exemption under the
NYSC Act; according to Section 2(2) of the Act.”
The group said it wanted the IG to immediately investigate the case and
file charges against the minister, threatening that it would drag the IG
to court should he fail to act within two weeks of receiving the
petition.
SERAP on its part described Adeosun’s continued silence as a betrayal of public trust.
