Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to clear the air over the allegations of certificate forgery against her.
The organization said this in a statement on Sunday by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, noting that clarifying the allegations would show a commitment to doing the right thing as a public official.
Adewale said the failure of Adeosun to respond to the allegations would amount to a betrayal of trust and lead to public anger.
The statement read “Suspicions of certificate forgery involving a senior member of the government if not urgently and satisfactorily addressed would weaken public trust in the government’s oft-expressed commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Several days after being accused of forging her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate, Mrs Adeosun is yet to make any official statement in reaction to the alleged scandal.
“Clarifying the allegations of certificate forgery would show a commitment to doing the right thing, and a natural disposition toward openness. The continuing failure and/or refusal to speak to Nigerians on these allegations amounts to a betrayal of public trust. If she can show the courage to clear the air on the allegations, Mrs Adeosun can be a strong promoter of the values of transparency and accountability, something which the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has regularly expressed commitment to embrace and achieve.
“The failure to address the allegations may create public anger and lead to accusation of cover-up. The public can become passive and cynical if it believes that people in position of public trust are out for themselves. It is the core responsibility of any senior public official to prevent that cynicism.”
“When those in position of public trust refuse to speak up on allegations bordering on certificate forgery, it invariably creates a psychological climate, a moral culture in which citizens are more likely to embrace illegal actions and choose to undertake them.”
Meanwhile, the Office of President Muhammadu Buhari has written the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) demanding a thorough probe of the alleged exemption certificate scandal involving the Minister.
Last week, NYSC said available records indicated that Adeosun did apply for an Exemption Certificate.
The agency, however, did not disclose whether the Minister was issued with an Exemption Certificate in response to her application.
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