Voice of the People Television (VOP TV) in-house analyst, Dr. Peter Anosike, has said that the resignation of the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery, is not a sufficient punishment for his alleged offence.
It will be recalled that Nnaji was accused of forging his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate as well as his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to secure his ministerial appointment in 2023.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Anosike faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for accepting Nnaji’s resignation, commending him for his service, and wishing him well in his future endeavours despite the gravity of the allegations.
According to him, the President’s gesture sets a bad precedent, as forgery constitutes a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
“What the Minister is accused of is both a moral and legal infraction that should be condemned and punished severely to serve as a deterrent to others,” Anosike stated.
He noted that forgery, fraud, and perjury are serious offences in Nigeria, citing their prohibition under Sections 362(a) and 366 of the Penal Code, Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act (2011), and Section 467 of the Criminal Code. These offences, he said, carry punishments ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment under Sections 117 and 118 of the Criminal Code.
Dr. Anosike further argued that anyone found guilty of such offences should not be treated lightly.
“There is no justification for giving someone who committed such a serious offence a mere slap on the wrist and telling him to go and sin no more,” he added.
He also called for Nnaji to refund all salaries, allowances, and other entitlements he received while serving as Minister, insisting that the benefits were fraudulently obtained.
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