NYSC Certificate Forgery: ‘Ruling Vindicates Me After Very traumatic Spell’ – Ex-Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun Reacts

By Sylvia LANO On Jul 7, 2021

Former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said the ruling of Federal High Court that she could serve without the certificate of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has vindicated her.

She said this in a statement issued by her legal team hours after the judgment on Wednesday evening, July 7.

The former finance minister, who was enmeshed in an allegation of NYSC certificate forgery, resigned her appointment in 2018.

While delivering his ruling on the originating summon with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/303/21 brought by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, on her behalf, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that Adeosun did not need NYSC certificate to take up any ministerial appointment or before standing for any elective office in the country.

Justice Taiwo held that Adeosun from available facts was a United Kingdom citizen having been born in the UK in 1967 and remained there till 2003 when she came back to Nigeria.

Justice Taiwo further held that as at when she formally returned to Nigeria and became a Nigerian citizen at over 30 years, she was not eligible to present herself for the NYSC service.

He added that Adeosun became a Nigerian citizen by virtue of 1999 Constitution which came into force on May 29 of the year, therefore, the NYSC Act will have no effect on her.

The judge said Adeosun would have committed a grave crime against Nigeria if she had participated in the NYSC having attained the exemption age of 36 years.

The judge was, however, silence on the actual certificate forgery allegation against the former finance minister.

Reacting to the ruling, Adeosun said she went through a “very traumatic spell”, but noted that the court had further reiterated her stand on the matter.

The former Minister in a statement expressed that the ruling is a victory for Nigerians in the Diaspora under similar conditions who desire to serve the nation.

Her statement reads;

My lawyers have informed me of the judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case of Folakemi Adeosun v The Attorney General of the Federation (FHC/ABJ/CS/303/2021) in which the court, presided over by Honourable Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ruled that the Constitution does not require me to present my first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, to be appointed a Minister.

More importantly, he also ruled that I was not eligible to perform NYSC by virtue of the constitution. This is the position I have always maintained and am happy for this official clarification.

The ruling vindicates me after a very traumatic spell. It is, however, not only a personal victory; it’s also a victory for many Nigerians in the Diaspora under similar conditions who are desirous to serve their country.

I wish to thank God, my family, friends, my counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and numerous well-wishers for their love, care and concern throughout this difficult period, which has lasted three whole years.

I wish to add in the light of the court’s ruling, I will at the appropriate time and without hesitation, take all further steps necessary within the law to protect my reputation. I thank you all.