The speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Collins Chiji, has landed in hot water over allegations he tendered fake certificates. His troubles be
The speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Collins Chiji, has landed in hot water over allegations he tendered fake certificates. His troubles began after a former member representing Ehime Mbano Constituency, Lawman Duruji, called on the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against him for allegedly parading forged certificates, TheNation reports.
Duruji challenged the speaker to make public certificates that justify his educational claims, saying he would stop at nothing until the general public knew the truth about the issue. He said, “One big mistake made by the former governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was the imposition of Chiji Collins as speaker, even when it was clear he has some skeleton in his cupboard. Quote me, he (Chiji) parades fake credentials, his PhD is fake and he also forged NYSC exemption certificate.
“He claimed to have graduated with HND in 1981 when he was 24 years old and took exemption from NYSC. At 24 years old, was he entitled to exemption letter from the NYSC? Who exempted him from participating in the National Service Scheme? What does the NYSC Act say about exemption? Why has he refused to honor NYSC invitation to Abuja with Clerk of the House? Why has he refused to publish his certificate for public scrutiny? Can someone obtain a PhD without first degree or Master’s degree? These are some of the questions that Chiji Collins must answer, no amount of delay tactics and intimidation can save him this time.”
The speaker, in his reaction to the allegations, said he was not threatened by any antics.
“My position is not shaken because I have not taken anybody’s money. My certificates have been in public domain since 1992 when I contested for Imo East Senate seat. I’m not one of those persons who claim to be graduates without classmates. The university I attended, people from my constituency and Imo State are still there. So, any inquiry anyone needs, let the person apply to the school. It’s not hidden. Again, I never schooled in Nigeria. I schooled overseas for my first degree and second degree and up to PHD. There’s no law in Nigeria that states that immediately you complete your first degree, you return home to participate in youth service.
“If Duruji is saying that the certificates I tendered are fake, he should bring the original one. If he says I forged certificates, he should go to court and prove his case. He cannot be asking me to tender my certificates. When this story emerged last year, I staked $100,000 for anyone that will prove that my certificates are fake. And I still stand by it because nobody has come out since that time to substantiate such spurious allegations”, the speaker said.
