Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has said her resignation from the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was orchestrated by “powerful enemies” who exploited the controversy surrounding her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
Adeosun made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, scheduled to air on Friday. An excerpt of the interview was aired on Thursday.
In 2018, Adeosun resigned from office following allegations that she submitted a forged NYSC certificate as part of her credentials.
Speaking during the interview, the former minister said individuals within the Buhari-led government saw the certificate saga as an opportunity to force her out of office.
According to her, she personally informed President Buhari of the development and her intention to seek legal redress against the federal government to clear her name.
Adeosun said it was inappropriate to remain in the cabinet while instituting legal action against the government.
“I’m not confused about the fact that I had powerful enemies who saw an opportunity and said, ‘Let’s get rid of her,’” she said.
“No one resigned in the finance ministry, but I did. On the day I resigned, I went to see the president and told him I needed to step aside so I could go to court to clear my name.
“He told me he supported the decision, noting that one’s name and reputation are legacies for future generations.
“You can’t be suing the government and still remain in the government. I had to leave. It was the right thing to do,” she added.
In July 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Adeosun could not be penalised or subjected to forfeiture for holding public office over issues related to her NYSC certificate.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that she was not legally required to present an NYSC certificate to occupy a public office in Nigeria. However, the court did not make a pronouncement on the allegation of certificate forgery.