By Ahmad Usman Jalingo
Security agencies in Taraba State have been petitioned to investigate Joseph Joshua, the Taraba State Commissioner for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
He is alleged to have obtained a degree certificate from a university in Benin Republic known for fraudulent issuance of degree certificates.
Recently, a shocking revelations by undercover report published by an online newspaper, Daily Nigerian left many things to be desired.
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The report revealed how a reporter of the newspaper bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks and participated in National Youth Service Corp NYSC scheme.
The report compelled federal government to suspend the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
In the petition, dated 15th January, 2024, addressed to the Director, Department of State Services, Taraba State Command, Jalingo and copied to the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Police Command, Jalingo, the petitioner Sulaiman Adamu Scatter of Jalingo local government area asked the security agencies to investigate the certificate – bachelor of science (BSc) in Information Technology with Second Class (Upper Decision) of ESGT University, Benin Republic (Cotonou) obtained by Joseph Joshua in 2021 as his highest qualification and submitted to the Taraba State House of Assembly during his screening and confirmation of his nomination as Commissioner from Takum local government area.
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According to the petitioner, there was never a time that the Commissioner left Nigeria to Benin Republic for the purpose of studies, emphasizing that the agencies should use their respected offices to thoroughly investigate the Commissioner with a view to finding the number of times he visited Benin Republic for the purpose of studies, the years he covered and his international passport evidencing his frequent visits to the country during the period he claimed he obtained the said certificate.
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Citing the recent undercover report by an investigative journalist who discovered the atrocities eminating from the same university claimed to have been graduated from by the Commissioner where degrees are obtained in six weeks, it’s therefore necessary without any hesitation, the agencies commenced investigation on Mr. Joseph Joshua for the purpose of finding out the genuineness or otherwise of his certificate.
When contacted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello commend on the allegations told our reporter that he was not aware of the petition.
