Forgery: PDP demands Adeosun’s arrest, prosecution

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun for forging her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate.

Reacting to the resignation of the embattled minister, the main opposition party also asked that she be charged for improper conduct and abuse of office.

A statement on Saturday by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, alleged plot by the Federal Government to secretly move the former Minister out of the country to avoid prosecution.

Already, two separate suits have been filed by a lawyer, Francis Obalim and a political party, Action Peoples Party (APP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja asking for Adeosun’s prosecution.

The PDP insisted that but for the sustained uproar by Nigerians and international creditors, the minister wouldn’t have stepped down. It accused the administration of Muhammadu Buhari of ‘shielding its many fraudulent and corrupt officials’.

The statement reads: “Our investigations reveal that the Federal Government, which earlier made efforts to defend Mrs. Adeosun, has already perfected a plot to help her to evade prosecution following fears that she could open up on the humongous corruption going on in the financial sector under the Buhari administration.

“The PDP is also aware of plots by the Federal Government to secretly move her out of the country, and for that, we urge the international community to be at alert and ensure she is repatriated to face justice in Nigeria should the Federal Government succeeds in its devious plan.

“Furthermore, we are also aware that President Buhari was not by any measure prepared to drop her from his cabinet but for the demand by those responsible for her appointment, who protested her continued stay in office, although for their own selfish gains. A case of corruption fighting back!”

The party also demanded an open inquest into the records of the Ministry of Finance between November 2015 and September 14, 2018 when Adeosun superintended over the ministry.

“The PDP therefore demands an immediate open inquest into the records of the Finance Ministry under Mrs. Adeosun, to unravel all improprieties by the Buhari Presidency cabal, including alleged diversion of oil proceeds, fraudulent oil subsidy deals, leading to high fuel price; depletion of our foreign reserves, embezzling of funds retuned by Switzerland and other huge sleazes in the ministry.

“The party also insists that President Buhari must be held responsible for all infractions in the finance ministry under Adeosun, as he appointed and retained her despite having information on the certificate forgery; a situation that confirms the decadence and lack of due diligence in the Buhari Presidency.

“Nigerians already know that the Buhari Presidency is a citadel of iniquity with inherent proficiency in stealing, forgery and manipulation of processes. This perhaps explains why President Buhari has not relieved his Special Assistant on Prosecution and Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla of his appointment in spite of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) confirmation that he forged his Secondary School Certificate.

“Is it not clear to all that the Buhari administration’s so-called anti-corruption war and purported integrity are mere orchestrations to hoodwink Nigerians and the international community, while Mr. President oversees the most corrupt administration in the history of our nation?” the statement adds.