The Taraba State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Joseph Joshua, has been accused of obtaining a fake degree from a university in Benin Republic.
The allegation is contained in a petition written to the State Security Service (SSS) and copied to the state police command.
The petition, dated 15 January, was written by a Jalingo-based legal practitioner, Nasiru Muhammed, on behalf of one Sulaiman Adamu.
“Our client informed us that Mr. Joseph Joshua, who is the current Commissioner of Taraba State Ministry of Youth and Sport Development in Jalingo, submitted, inter alia, a degree certificate (Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Information Technology with Second Class (Upper Division) of ESGT University, Benin Republic (Cotonou), as his highest qualification obtained in 2021,” the petition stated.
“Sir, our client informed us that, during his screening as a Commissioner Nominee at the Taraba State House of Assembly, on the basis of that certificate, he was screened and confirmed for his appointment as Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development.
“Surprisingly, the said Joseph Joshua did not present his mandatory NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter to the Taraba State House of Assembly, as is expected of him.
“Based on the above, it is deducible that the degree certificate submitted by Hon. Joseph Joshua is questionable, calling for a thorough investigation to sanitize the system.
“Our client informed us that, based on his preliminary investigation, he has discovered that there was never a time Mr. Joseph Joshua left this country for Benin Republic for the purpose of studies.
“We believe that your respected office will thoroughly investigate Mr. Joseph Joshua to find out the number of times he visited Benin Republic for studies, the years he covered, and his international passport evidencing his frequent visits during the period he claimed he obtained the said certificate.”
When this reporter contacted him to react to the allegation, Mr. Joshua replied with an SMS message, saying, “I have no comment. Let the security do their job.”
Speaking with journalists, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Taraba, Usman Abdullahi, said he had not seen the petition.
“I have not yet seen a copy of the petition. Maybe it is still going through the administrative process, and action is being taken,” Mr. Abdullahi said.
