Fake Certificate: My position not under any threat by mere allegations – Imo speaker

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

A former member representing Ehime Mbano state Constituency, Lawman Duruji has called on the Imo State House of Assembly, to initiate impeachment proceedings against the speaker, Collins Chiji, for allegedly parading forged certificates.

But, Chiji responded by urging his accusers to go to court and prove their case against him, insisting that his position will never be under threat because of mere allegations ‘by layabouts’.

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, Duruji challenged the speaker to make public, certificates that justify his educational claims, called on the house of assembly to probe the speaker’s certificates.

Duruji denied being sponsored to challenge the authenticity of speaker’s certificates, and vowed that 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.”

Duruji also accused the speaker of lobbying to persuade the committee set up to investigate his certificates status, to avert justice on the issue.

He insisted that such attempts would not save him from the impending impeachment.

The speaker, in his reaction to the allegations, said he was not threatened by any antics.

Chiji, who spoke with journalists weekend, said the whole matter was now assuming childish rants, noting that the former lawmaker had petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau without achieving any results.

“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. (The Nation)