By James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
The reason Yahoo Yahoo boys are arrested and tried is because they present fake identities or documents to defraud unsuspecting individuals, organizations, or even the government.
Today, we have government officials, including ministers, presenting fake or forged certificates to secure appointments and positions. As ministers, the big question arises: were they truly cleared before their appointments? Could this be why corruption continues to persist? Where is the place of integrity and character? What kind of supervision can they offer when their subordinates are caught doing the same thing?
Whenever they are caught in such acts, silence becomes the answer. Nobody wants to discuss it in government or public spaces, let alone call for their resignation or prosecution. Are there individuals who are above the law, even when caught red-handed in crime?
When an ordinary citizen is caught with a fake or forged document, the system is always quick to arrest, convict, and imprison them. But here we have top government officials, particularly ministers, playing hide and seek. Are we playing the “the more you look, the less you see” game with the integrity of our nation? It is absurd.
Nigerians are taken aback by these serial cases of fake or forged degrees and NYSC certificates presented by top government officials, from past administrations to the present. From Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, the former Speaker of the House, to ministers in the Buhari administration, and even to some individuals currently holding sensitive offices, the story has remained the same. We have seen fake medical doctors, fake lawyers, and impostors arrested because they were ordinary citizens. Yet, those who should resign for integrity’s sake and report themselves to the police are being covered up and protected. Instead of being shamed, they are celebrated as the best and the untouchables.
As a nation and as a people, we must begin to shame them, expose them, and let the whole world know who they truly are, so that our collective integrity will not be destroyed. They must stop parading themselves as patriotic citizens because they lack integrity, character, and humanity. Not an iota of shame remains in them.
We say shame to all of you, both those who fled the country when discovered and those still serving. Karma will surely catch up with you; your sins will find you out sooner or later.
Little wonder Nigeria is often rated poorly by others, as though we are all criminals, because of these few bad eggs among us.