By Onome Oghenetega
A civil society organization, Transparency and Integrity Crusaders (TIC) has insisted that the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joi Nunieh, has no discharge certificate or exemption letter from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
However, the embattled NDDC MD has debunked the allegation, challenging the group to prove their allegation of her forging NYSC or any other certificate.
Nuniel boasted that she has submitted necessary documents to the relevant federal government agencies for documentation following her appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying she has nothing to hide.
But TIC in a statement claimed that the embattled NDDC MD is rattled with the latest revelation against her as the group insisted that she was not fit to lead a critical agency such as NDDC.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of the anti-corruption group, Dr. Ekpo Emmanuel Bassey, further challenged Nunieh to make public her NYSC certificate for scrutiny.
“We read the very watery response of Joi Nunieh to our challenge to her to publicly present her NYSC discharge certificate or exemption certificate for scrutiny. Our position remains that Joi Nunieh does not have a valid NYSC discharge certificate or a valid Exemption certificate. Joi Nunieh has not denied this.
“We cannot have someone with questionable credentials to be in charge of a critical Government institution as the NDDC. She addresses herself as Dr. Joi Nunieh. This is also questionable as there is no record of her having a doctorate degree.
“We challenge Joi Nunieh to publicly present her NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter for scrutiny”, the statement said.
The statement, however, called on President Buhari to direct the Inspector General of Police, Director General, Department of State Services, and the ICPC to commence a holistic investigation into their claims against the NDDC chief.
“We refer to the similar incidence involving former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun due to non possession of a valid NYSC discharge certificate and we hold that the case of Joi Nunieh Ag. NDDC MD should not be covered up.
“We demand the immediate removal of the Ag. NDDC MD for failing to provide a valid NYSC discharge certificate or a valid exemption certificate and for parading other questionable qualifications”, Bassey further stated.
However, Nuniel while reacting to the allegation said the allegation against her has no iota of truth, adding that the group was being sponsored by those who are afraid of the ongoing audit of NDDC as ordered by President Buhari.
Nuniel, who reacted through her Special Adviser on Communication, Ibanga Isine, stated, “I have answered a lot of people on this. The group that made this allegation, have you substantiated if they really exist or a fathom organisation? Because the onus of prove will be on you if we decide to take legal action against those who publish that story. If a group has not been registered by the CAC, it means such group doesn’t exist.
“Secondly, those who employ Joi Nuniel, screened her, saw her credentials and gave her the job because they believe she can deliver on that job. Joi Nuniel has worked in other high profile areas in the country and nobody has even questioned her about her credentials or certificates. Why now?
“Again, if the group truly exists, the allegation is not for Joi Nuniel to prove. When former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was accused of NYSC certificate forgery, the onus was not on Adeosun to prove. The job was on the media and those alleging to prove it.
“She submitted all her credentials and everything that was needed. If not, they wouldn’t have given her the appointment in the first place. The allegation only exist in the imagination of those behind. There’s no iota of truth in it”
