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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has cleared the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of allegations that he forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, according to a police investigation report.
According to the report shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday but dated 4 March, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Monitoring Unit, Akin Fakorede, said investigators found no evidence of forgery, falsification, or unlawful issuance of the certificate issued to the minister.
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The police findings align with a 2023 PREMIUM TIMES investigation.
“Based on the totality of evidence gathered, documentary exhibits analysed, statements obtained, and the official response received from the National Youth Service Corps Headquarters, no criminal offence in respect of NYSC Certificate No. A004523631 issued to Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has been committed,” the report stated. “The certificate has been confirmed by the issuing authority as valid and authentic from its official records.”
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How it started
The investigation followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on 5 January by Igbega Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Akure, Ondo State, through the law firm of Olugbenga Edema & Co.
In the petition, the organisation alleged irregularities in the NYSC Certificate of National Service bearing number A004523631 issued in the name of Mr Tunji-Ojo, who hails from Ondo State.
The petitioner claimed that the minister was mobilised for the NYSC scheme in 2006 and deployed to Abuja, but did not complete the mandatory one-year national service.
According to the petition, Mr Tunji-Ojo later resurfaced in 2019. He allegedly underwent a remobilisation process before being redeployed to the Federal Capital Territory, where he was posted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for his primary assignment.
The organisation further alleged that he subsequently applied for the issuance of the certificate through the FCT coordinator in October 2022.
Following the petition, the police monitoring unit commenced an investigation after the matter was referred to the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
The police said the petitioner, represented by its trustee, Olugbenga Edema, appeared before investigators and adopted the petition while submitting documents to support the allegations.
The report noted that investigators also wrote to Mr Tunji-Ojo requesting his response to the claims.
In a letter dated 4 February, the minister denied the allegations and submitted documents to the police, including a Certified True Copy of a judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1155/2023, along with other records relating to his NYSC status.
As part of the investigation, the police sought verification from the Director-General of the NYSC by forwarding the certificate in question and requesting confirmation of the minister’s service history.
In a response dated 18 February, the NYSC confirmed that the Certificate No. A004523631 was valid and duly issued to Mr Tunji-Ojo and forms part of its official records.
The police investigation further found that Mr Tunji-Ojo was initially mobilised for national service in 2006 but did not complete the programme at the time due to verified medical reasons.
According to the report, he was subsequently remobilised in November 2019 in line with NYSC regulations, completed the service requirements and was later issued the certificate in accordance with the law.
The report concluded that no evidence of forgery, alteration, or falsification of the NYSC certificate was established during the investigation.
It added that issues relating to the timing and circumstances of the minister’s service year were administrative matters within the regulatory authority of the NYSC and other relevant institutions.
Police detain accuser
On the same day of the clearance by the police, Emorioloye Owolemi was remanded in prison over Facebook posts claiming that Mr Tunji-Ojo’s academic credentials were fake.
Mr Owolemi, 39, faced charges of cyberstalking under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
The posts, published on 23 December 2025 in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, allegedly questioned the authenticity of the minister’s credentials.
Mr Owolemi told Sahara Reporters that he had obtained a valid court order in Abuja but chose not to pursue further legal action, adding that the consequences of his stand affected not only him but also his family.
The police are prosecuting the defendant before the Federal High Court in Akure in the case marked FHC/AK/3C/26. The charges comprise cyberstalking and harassment.
Backstory
Earlier in 2025, a coalition of civil society organisations petitioned the presidency of President Bola Tinubu, demanding that Mr Tunji-Ojo step aside to allow for an independent investigation into his NYSC certificate.
The petition, also copied to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), described the case as “a constitutional and ethical matter that strikes at the very heart of integrity, justice, and public accountability.”
The petition alleged that Tunji-Ojo was first mobilised in 2006 but absconded from service and later completed the programme in 2019 while simultaneously serving as a member of the House of Representatives—a dual role the petitioners said violated constitutional provisions prohibiting public officers from holding two remunerated positions simultaneously.
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They also questioned the issuance of a new certificate in 2023, signed by an NYSC Director-General who was not in office during the purported service year, and called for investigations by the NYSC, ICPC, and the National Assembly into possible double remuneration and irregularities.
The civil society groups warned that selective enforcement of rules could undermine public confidence in government institutions, insisting that justice must not “wear ethnic or political colours.”
Mr Tunji-Ojo, a former member of the House of Representatives, has served as Nigeria’s Minister of Interior since 2023.
