Adeosun may be Jailed for 14-years for skipping & forging NYSC certificate

Former Nigerian finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, who resigned her position on Friday on account of forging a certificate of national service risks jail term of up to 14 years.

A lawyer, Shuaibu Sule, listed five offences he said the minister is liable for.

The offences include forgery, possession of fake document, uttering, giving false information and skipping the national service.

They carry jail terms of between one to 14 years, according to the Penal Code Law and the National Youth Service (NYSC) Act.

Mrs Adeosun’s certificate forgery was first revealed in July which detailed how the minister skipped the mandatory national service and forged an exemption certificate to cover for it.

The year-long service, organised by the NYSC is compulsory for all Nigerians who graduate from a university or equivalent institution at the age of 30 or below.

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.

On Friday, the Presidency announced her resignation from office, and released the resignation letter in which Mrs Adeosun owned up to the crime. She said she was “helped” by some unnamed associates to get the exemption certificate.

“Her resignation should not be the end of it. She should be investigated and prosecuted for committing a number of crimes,” Mr Sule told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday morning.

The lawyer said Mrs Adeosun could be charged for offences under Section 140 of the Penal Code, which borders on giving false information and attracts up to one year prison term and/or fine.