NYSC And The Kemi Adeosun Case

By Reuben Abati

It is not often that cases before a court of law become so important that they get discussed in beer parlours, open places, other rooms and generate so much public attention beyond the court room, even after judgment has been delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction. But it happens, presenting, relative to context, the spectacle of concurrence and/or populism or a conflict between the court of law and the court of public opinion. This in itself is a reaffirmation of the role of the judicial system as a social modulator, beyond strict positivism, rather than a derogation from the relevance of the judiciary. Such cases are known in legal circles as “cause celebre” either for the attendant popularity and public interest or the precedence that they establish. Nigeria found itself confronted with such a case recently with the decision taken by the Court of Justice Taiwo Taiwo (Federal High Court, Abuja) in the matter between Oluwakemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation. This is an interesting case that has the prospects of becoming a locus classicus, in its present form or on appeal (if that happens) with regard to the issues of citizenship, appointments into public office and participation in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC). I will tone down the legalisms involved, but what are the facts before us and what conclusions can we draw from this particular case?

In November 2015, Kemi Adeosun, born in 1967 in London, England, to Nigerian parents from Ogun State Nigeria, was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance by the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Before that appointment, she had worked in the United Kingdom as an accounting assistant at British Telecom, London, also at Goodman Jones as a senior audit officer, as a manager at London Underground, and later at Prisms Consulting. She was also a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 2002, she returned to Nigeria and took up an appointment as a Financial Controller with Chapel Hill Denham Management. She became Managing Director of that company in 2010. In 2011, Adeosun was appointed Commissioner of Finance in Ogun State by then Governor Ibikunle Amosun who promised to turn around the fortunes of his home-state. Four years later, Kemi Adeosun was further elevated when she ended up as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, after President Buhari and Governor Amosun won a second term in office as President and Governor respectively.

It was widely assumed Mrs Adeosun earned that promotion due to Amosun’s influence. Amosun is a well-known Buhari ally and a prominent member of the ruling party. As Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Adeosun, an Economics graduate of the University of East London and a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, further ended up as Chairman of the Board of the African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank). Her profile was something made out of a fairy tale: amazing, well supported.

In 2018, that fairy-tale turned sour when an online newspaper, Premium Times Online alleged that Mrs Adeosun illegally obtained her NYSC exemption certificate. In Nigeria, no citizen, who is a graduate, is allowed to be employed in either the private or public sector, without having gone through a mandatory one-year national service.

This requirement is spelled out in Section 12 of the NYSC Act and embedded in the 1999 Constitution. Premium Times, after calling out Mrs Adeosun, promised to conduct an investigation. And it did, with unsavoury outcomes.

This generated tension, ethnic politicking and a heavy dose of blame game. In the middle of all that, and the ugly implications for the integrity of the Buhari administration, Kemi Adeosun resigned from her position as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance on September 14, 2018. Her resignation letter, addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari is available online. But let me quote the following paragraph from it. She writes: “I have today become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.”
Kemi Adeosun’s resignation was an unusual thing to do in Nigeria. Most of her compatriots would never have done so.

Resign from such a “juicy position” as Nigerians call it? No! But she did. And there were questions about whether she jumped or she was pushed. Other questions were asked: was she set up and sacrificed by the same man who made her Minister of Finance, her former boss, Governor Amosun? Did she herself get too big for her boots, and forgot her own beginnings? Who blew the whistle about her NYSC Exemption Certificate? As pundits went to town, Adeosun left town. She has now returned three years later, with a bang. A month ago, she got a generous mention in the newspapers as the founder of a Foundation – “the Dash Me Store”, an online thrift-for-charity initiative that she has now established to support the vulnerable in society. It was her first major public appearance in 3 years. And it wasn’t meant to be just one of those events. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in attendance for all the possible symbolic reasons, as Chair of the occasion. That was great optics. Adeosun may have left the country in 2018 for controversial reasons, but she has returned on a high note, with perfect timing.

For me, this was particularly confirmed by the court ruling dated the 7th Day of July 2021 in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/303/2021 between Folakemi Adeosun – (Plaintiff) and Attorney General of the Federation – (Defendant) before His Lordship Hon. Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo in the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division. As it were, Kemi Adeosun had approached the Federal High Court to seek declaratory reliefs to the effect that (i) she was not under any constitutional disadvantage or prohibition at the time of her appointment as Minister with regard to her participation in the NYSC scheme, (ii) she cannot be subjected to any disability or disadvantage on the ground that she did not participate in the NYSC and that ((iii) being a United Kingdom Citizen as at 1989 when she graduated from the University of East London, UK, at the age of 22 years, she was ineligible to participate in Nigeria’s NYSC. The learned Judge observed as follows: “In brief the fact of this case is that sometime in 2018, while the plaintiff was serving as the Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it was being paraded in the public space that she did not participate in the NYSC scheme and as such ought to have been disqualified from holding the office. It was further alleged that the said insinuations have remained unabated, thereby, consistently putting the plaintiff at disadvantageous positions in the pursuit of her career, both within and outside the country, this has therefore necessitated the plaintiff to file this action.” Counsel for the defendant relying on Section 12 of the NYSC Act and Sections 147 (5) and 192 (4) of the 1999 Constitution responded accordingly. The Court decided in favour of the plaintiff and granted the declaratory reliefs in her prayers before the Court. The ruling has been heavily criticised in the court of public opinion, and that has generated as much interest as the substance of the case itself.

First, there is this argument that the court did not address the issue of certificate forgery which was the basis for Mrs Adeosun’s resignation in the first place. Those who push this line of argument forget that this was not the matter before the court. A court of law is not duty bound to embark on a voyage of discovery or offer what has not been pleaded before it with admissible evidence. Procedure is critical in law and in common parlance, the court is not a Father Christmas. In this matter, a civil suit by the way, Kemi Adeosun had approached the court to protect her reputation, to which she claims much damage had been done by the circumstances of her exit from the Nigerian government in September 2018. It is perfectly within her rights to do so, one’s reputation being so fundamental to everything else.

Second, some persons have expressed concern about the citizenship question raised in the ruling. They ask: Granted that as of 1989, when she graduated Kemi Adeosun was not a citizen of Nigeria, and therefore ineligible for participation in the NYSC scheme, under the then extant 1979 Constitution, when she then returned to Nigeria to work, what steps did she take to become a Nigerian citizen? They point out that the 1999 Constitution after all, does not automatically confer citizenship. There is a proper definition of citizenship under Chapter 3 of the 1999 Constitution, so at what point exactly did Mrs Adeosun become a Nigerian? And how could she have been appointed a state Commissioner of Finance and later, a Federal Minister if there was no understanding that she had become a Nigerian citizen although entitled to dual nationality? And why would she sue the Attorney General of the Federation? Again, these questions were not raised by the defence counsel before Justice Taiwo Taiwo. The issues for determination were clear and specific. What has been offered is a technical, Constitutional interpretation of what the law says with regard to participation in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme of Nigeria, and the legal status in that regard of all persons, of Nigerian parentage but foreign nationality, caught between the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions with regard to eligibility to participate in the scheme and the question of their citizenship. But does the ruling of the Court meet public expectations? No.

Third: Will the office of the Attorney General of the Federation appeal this ruling? I doubt. Will the Federal Government now file a suit to accuse the former Minister of Finance of the forgery of a certificate that everyone is saying is the main issue? Hmm. That won’t happen. This is Nigeria. Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s reputation with regard to the NYSC matter has been judicially restored, and all insinuations about her involvement in this quasi political-legal tango have been laid to rest. Her brother Dele Ogun has been quoted as saying Premium Times, the online newspaper, has questions to answer. So, should she sue Premium Times that generated the storm in the first place? She shouldn’t bother. There is no point fighting a battle she can’t win. Only the naïve would pick up battles with the media like those thick-headed characters who believe that they can restrict the freedom of information in society. I hope their advisers have seen the robust push-back by the Nigerian media community which started yesterday. Nigerian newspapers are now carrying placards against the government: from front-page advertorials to editorials!

It has been said that Kemi Adeosun’s legal victory is a victory for all Nigerians who were born abroad before the 1999 Constitution and who do not have to participate in the NYSC. Except that this is one case where the law does not answer all the questions. It must indeed be a fit and proper thing to serve one’s country, or even die for it.

The NYSC was introduced in 1973, to move Nigeria beyond the pains and tragedy of the civil war and to promote national unity and integration. If things were normal, there would have been no reason for anyone to avoid the opportunity to serve the country. Kemi Adeosun was 22 in 1989, and she was not a Nigerian citizen. When she returned to Nigeria in 2013 at the age of 34, she was already beyond the age of eligibility for the NYSC. She has now succeeded in proving her case in court. But other foreign-born Nigerians with an eye on the future should study her case closely and learn a critical lesson about the importance of one’s roots. They need to realise that the Adeosun case does not automatically offer them any protection under the law. Adeosun probably never imagined that she would ever have anything to do with public life in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians in diaspora, a growing generation of children with Nigerian parents and foreign citizenship often overlook the umbilical manner in which they are linked to Nigeria by blood. They are proud to say that they have nothing to do with Nigeria and that they belong to other countries. But the pull of home and ancestral roots is forever strong. Most of the athletes in the D’Tigers Basketball team who represented Nigeria a few days ago and made history beating Team USA, the most dominant basketball team in the world, probably do not have a Nigerian passport, and may never have been to their ancestral home. They wore shirts emblazoned with the message: “Naija no dey carry last”. They stepped up and proved it. Every Nigerian child born in diaspora should look beyond Kemi Adeosun’s legal victory. A sense of home and roots, is the strongest DNA in our veins. The river may flow downstream into the oceans, without looking back, but it is bound to dry up if it loses touch with its source.

What is most unfortunate, however, is the crisis at home that drives a wedge between Nigerians at home and those in diaspora. While we urge the latter to identify with home, connect and remember, Nigerians born and bred at home, are in despair. They are either seeking to emigrate or secede. If they are lucky to graduate from a higher institution, they are not even happy to participate in the NYSC or serve the country. Nigeria is so insecure parents do not want their children posted to certain parts of the country. Nigeria has a way of killing dreams. The NYSC is one of those dying dreams. And that is why the Adeosun case, controversial as it seems, is bound to end up as just one of those things in the court of public opinion.

Related Articles

102 COMMENTS

  1. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog
    and I am impressed! Very helpful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information a
    lot. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

    Here is my web blog; Magaret

  2. I do agree with all the concepts you’ve presented in your post.

    They are very convincing and can definitely work.
    Still, the posts are too brief for starters. May you please lengthen them a bit
    from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

    My blog post; wanda suit

  3. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
    My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I
    think we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

    Visit my web site – Thor Costume

  4. Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems
    finding one? Thanks a lot!

    my blog post; spider-man cosplay costumes

  5. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
    developer to create your theme? Great work!

    my web site; elearnportal.science

  6. Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You
    have done a wonderful job!

    Stop by my blog post :: alra7al.net

  7. Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your
    stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful.

    I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep
    it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous website.

    Visit my homepage :: https://sciencewiki.science/wiki/Unknown_Details_About_Minecraft_Server_Revealed_By_The_Experts

  8. Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward
    to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!

    Have a look at my webpage: coderwall.com

  9. I believe what you said made a bunch of sense. However, think on this,
    suppose you added a little information? I mean,
    I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, however suppose you added a post title to possibly get people’s attention? I mean NYSC And The Kemi Adeosun Case – Law and Society Magazine.
    is kinda vanilla. You could look at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create post headlines
    to get viewers interested. You might add a video or a pic or two to grab readers interested about everything’ve written. In my opinion,
    it might make your blog a little livelier.

    Here is my blog post https://spamdb.science/wiki/The_Most_Popular_Minecraft_Launcher

  10. What i don’t realize is actually how you are now not really a lot more smartly-preferred than you might be now.
    You’re so intelligent. You know therefore considerably in relation to this topic, produced me in my
    opinion imagine it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men are not interested unless it’s one thing to
    accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs nice.
    At all times care for it up!

    My blog … http://popff82fd2b.iwopop.com/WHATISCLASSICLASHESFEATURES

  11. hey there and thank you for your information – I’ve
    definitely picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this website, since I experienced to reload the
    web site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
    I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances
    times will very frequently affect your placement
    in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.

    Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective
    interesting content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

    Stop by my page leather superhero suit

  12. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

    Look at my web page; https://yukotipoldgtq8.wixsite.com/website

  13. It’s going to be end of mine day, however before end I am reading this fantastic
    post to increase my know-how.

    Feel free to surf to my page discuss

  14. Great items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful.
    I really like what you’ve bought here, certainly like what
    you are saying and the best way by which you assert it.
    You are making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep
    it sensible. I can’t wait to learn much more from you.
    This is really a wonderful web site.

    Check out my homepage joypdf.com

  15. Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. This is a very smartly written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of
    your helpful information. Thank you for the post.
    I will certainly return.

    Feel free to visit my webpage discuss

  16. I seriously love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme.

    Did you develop this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my
    own site and would like to know where you got this from
    or just what the theme is named. Cheers!

    Here is my page :: soal-jawab.com

  17. Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading
    this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this
    page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks
    for sharing!

    Feel free to surf to my blog; ace-beaut-shop76.webnode.com

  18. If you are going for most excellent contents like I do, only pay a quick visit this site every day because it gives quality contents, thanks

    Have a look at my homepage :: rethink.onl

  19. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to
    “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

    Here is my webpage: lomcn.vip

  20. Have you ever thought about including a little bit
    more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    Nevertheless think of if you added some great
    visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the best in its
    niche. Excellent blog!

    Feel free to surf to my web page – https://funsilo.date/wiki/Be_taught_Exactly_How_I_Improved_Minecraft_Installer_In_2_Days

  21. I am really impressed together with your writing talents and also
    with the structure to your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you
    modify it yourself? Either way stay up the excellent high
    quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one
    nowadays..

    Here is my homepage: sonicsquirrel.net

  22. Attractive component to content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I get actually loved account your
    blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment or even I fulfillment
    you get right of entry to consistently rapidly.

    Stop by my web site – http://www.blurb.com

  23. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your
    excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

    my web page wxgcs.cn

  24. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site
    before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to
    me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and
    I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

    my page; cults3d.com

  25. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or
    guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered
    on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some
    stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

    my web site … http://flymouses.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=260762

  26. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
    Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

    Also visit my page … kocek.my

  27. Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know
    if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I
    wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Also visit my web-site; rainsister0.jigsy.com

  28. A person necessarily assist to make seriously posts I might state.
    That is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point?

    I surprised with the research you made to make this particular
    put up amazing. Excellent process!

    Feel free to visit my blog: wiki.hashsploit.net

  29. Hey there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site
    mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!

    Visit my site – https://www.mynewnet.com/user/profile/32665

  30. Hello there, I found your blog via Google even as searching for a
    related matter, your site got here up, it appears good.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, just turned into aware of your blog through Google, and located that it is really informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue
    this in future. Numerous people can be benefited
    out of your writing. Cheers!

    Stop by my web site :: https://musescore.com/user/46568219

  31. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog.
    I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you
    in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me
    to get my own, personal website now 😉

    Feel free to surf to my blog; https://notes.io/YLwp

  32. A person essentially assist to make severely posts I’d state.

    This is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point?
    I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish amazing.
    Magnificent task!

    my website; autohub.ng

  33. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website,
    how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped
    me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered
    bright clear concept

    Here is my page https://lashesweb.tumblr.com/

  34. Hey! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I had
    to ask. Does running a well-established blog such as
    yours require a large amount of work? I am completely new to operating a blog however I do write in my journal
    on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and views online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or
    tips for brand new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

    My site Cooper

  35. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your blog.

    It looks like some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen.
    Can somebody else please provide feedback
    and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This might be a problem with my browser because
    I’ve had this happen before. Kudos

    Here is my web blog :: lexsrv3.nlm.nih.gov

  36. First off I would like to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you
    don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before
    writing. I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.

    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10
    to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure
    out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Thank you!

    Here is my web-site :: http://elejabaa.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=toadsilica8

  37. Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest
    authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same
    subjects you discuss and would love to have you share
    some stories/information. I know my visitors
    would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely
    interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

    Feel free to surf to my web site: https://zippyshare.com/sneezeactor7

  38. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is
    required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Cheers

    my site – oneherosuits.com

  39. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.

    The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Cheers

    Review my web blog; https://trungtamytehoavang.com.vn/question/three-minecraft-server-secrets-you-by-no-means-knew/

  40. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just
    excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.

    Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep
    updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

    Review my webpage … http://cqms.skku.edu/b/lecture/1234525

  41. At this time it looks like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform available right
    now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

    Look into my web page; benimhikaye.com

  42. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?

    I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time making a
    decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m
    looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for
    getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    Here is my web-site – http://www.ted.com

  43. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS.
    I don’t understand why I am unable to subscribe to it.

    Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues? Anyone
    that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

    My blog: Liza

  44. I have been exploring for a bit for any
    high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon click this site.
    Studying this information So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed.
    I most for sure will make certain to don?t disregard
    this web site and provides it a look on a continuing basis.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

1,167,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles