Nigeria’s former minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has reacted to a verdict by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which stated that the National Youth Service Corps certificate was not constitutionally required for her to have served in that position.
Recall that Adeosun was appointed as Minister of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
But in September 2018 however, she resigned after an online newspaper reported that she allegedly forged an NYSC exemption certificate to secure the position.
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However, in the case filed by Adeosun’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) against the Attorney General of the Federation (FHC/ABJ/CS/303/2021), he urged the court to declare that his client cannot be disqualified from serving as either a member of the House of Assembly of a State, a Commissioner in the State Executive Council; Governor of a State; member of the National Assembly; Minister in the Federal Executive Council or the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the ground that she did not participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, established by the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP N84, LFN 2004.
On his part, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that participation in NYSC was not a yardstick for being selected as a Federal Minister.
Reacting to the development, Adeosun stated via her Facebook page that the court decision had saved her from three years of pain that tried to damage her reputation.
“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,” she said.
The former Finance Minister added that she was bent on seeking more legal advice towards preserving her image.
“I wish to add in 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,” she stated.