In an attempt to clear the air, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Monday formally commented on the controversy surrounding the purported exemption of Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, from the scheme after questions were raised on the authenticity of the Exemption Certificate that she allegedly tendered as part of documentation for employment.

The Corps in a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, said records indicated that the Minister applied for an exemption from the scheme but said further investigation is being conducted to ascertain the origin of the Exemption Certificate in question.

“Our attention has been drawn to the issue of the alleged forgery of an NYSC Exemption Certificate by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

“Checking our records, Mrs. Adeosun did apply for an Exemption Certificate.

“We shall investigate the origin of the purported Exemption Certificate in question,” Adeyemi said in the statement.

Online news website, Premium Times, had in a weekend report claimed that Adeosun tendered a forged Exemption Certificate to work in Nigeria when she returned from the United Kingdom after her higher education.

Following the report, the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, called for her resignation or sack from her post.