A former finance minister Kemi Adeosun, has stated that she has been vindicated following the court ruling on Wednesday.
Recall that she was caught in a certificate forgery scandal and was made to resign her appointment.
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Adeosun did not breach any law by being appointed to the ministerial position in 2015 without participating in the NYSC scheme.
Although Adesosun was said to have forged her NYSC certificate to be appointed minister, the issue of forgery was not brought before the court as the federal government has refused to prosecute her for that.
Taiwo Taiwo, the judge, held that Adeosun, as of the time she graduated from a United Kingdom university at 22 in 1989, was a British citizen who was not qualified to participate in the scheme.
The judge added that when she returned to Nigeria and became a Nigerian citizen at over 30 years old, she was no longer eligible to participate in the NYSC scheme.
Taiwo ruled that NYSC certificate was not a requirement for Adeosun to be appointed as a Nigerian minister or contest the House of Representatives election.
The judge did not review the forgery of an NYSC exemption certificate which Adeosun procured for her screening ahead of her ministerial appointment in 2015.
In her reaction to the court ruling on Wednesday, Adeosun said “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 MinisteMo”
“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.
” 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.”
