Lawyers demand Communications Minister’s sack, prosecution for skipping NYSC

Aggrieved by the Minister of Communications Mr Adebayo Shittu’s stance that having served as member of Oyo State House of Assembly, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, those services should be taken in lieu of his National Youth Service Corps NYSC, some lawyers have called for his immediate sacking and prosecution.

Barely a week after the former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, resigned her position over alleged forgery of NYSC certificate, an online medium, Premium Times, also broke the story of how the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, failed to participate in the NYSC scheme despite graduating from the then University (at the age of 25) within the required age of service
Shittu had admitted that he did not serve.

He however claimed that he thought his first political post after graduation could suffice as national service.

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But some lawyers have faulted Shittu’s claim over the mandatory NYSC service, saying that his argument is ludicrous and untenable.
Lambasting the minister, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said that the NYSC Act is very clear in its sections 2,11, 12 and 13.

He said, “A person must serve after graduation once he is below 30 years of age.

“Where he is over 30 years, he must obtain a certificate of exemption. The service or exemption certificate must be presented to any employer of Labour.

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“It is a crime punishable with both fine and prison term not to abide by these provisions.

Another Abuja-based lawyer, Adamu Tipidi, also concurred with Ozekhome.

He said, “It is unfortunate that a minister who has admitted not having served the mandatory one year NYSC should be appointed a minister in the first place.

“He should honourably resign or sack by President Muhammed Buhari without further delay. He should not be allowed to continue to insult the public by his illogical reasoning.”