NYSC disowns certificates linked to former Minister Nnaji because it identifies 4 defects

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has instructed the Federal High Court in Abuja that it didn’t concern the discharge certificates Geoffrey Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, allegedly offered to the National Assembly throughout his ministerial screening.

Yusuf Abubakar Jumare, an assistant director within the NYSC’s Department of Certification, testified because the second prosecution witness within the case introduced by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Nnaji faces six counts involving allegations of corruption, fraud, conferring a corrupt benefit on himself and offering false info. The fees concern the alleged making and presentation of a false nationwide service certificates and a college diploma certificates. Led in proof by prosecution counsel Jimoh Abdulmumini (SAN), Jumare stated his division examined the disputed NYSC certificates on the ICPC’s request. He pointed to 4 discrepancies that, in his view, confirmed the company had not issued it.

He stated the certificates was purportedly issued in 1985 however carried an “A” prefix, which the NYSC didn’t start utilizing till 1990. The doc additionally carried the four-digit call-up quantity 0137, though call-up numbers issued in 1985 had 5 digits. Jumare added that the certificates recorded 13 months of service as a substitute of the usual 12 calendar months and didn’t bear the signature of the NYSC director-general who was in workplace on the time.

The prosecution tendered copies of correspondence between the ICPC and the NYSC regarding the disputed certificates. The courtroom admitted the paperwork and marked them as displays. The defence staff, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), reserved its objection to their admissibility. After the defence complained that it had not been served with the paperwork, Abdulmumini stated he had solely just lately taken over the case and undertook to offer copies.

Under cross-examination by Bode Olanikpekun (SAN), Jumare maintained that the NYSC had not issued the certificates earlier than the courtroom. He stated his division saved the company’s certificates data and that corps members obtained discharge certificates solely after finishing their service 12 months.

He additionally defined that universities ahead the names of graduates to the NYSC for mobilisation. The company then sends call-up letters to the schools for graduates to gather. Jumare acknowledged that he had not checked whether or not the NYSC had ever issued Nnaji a certificates. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the trial till November 30 for the continuation of Jumare’s cross-examination.