Security analyst Adib Sanni has called for the prosecution of security service recruits who were sent home after being found to have presented forged certificates during the recruitment process.
According to him, the decision to allow the affected applicants to simply go home is not enough, arguing that forgery is a criminal offence and those involved must be held accountable under the law.
Mr. Sanni also questioned why unemployed applicants are required to pay fees for medical examinations and other administrative processes during recruitment. He described the practice as unfair and said the security agencies should have adequate budgets to cover such expenses.
He recalled a similar incident some years ago when recruits were dismissed during training after it was discovered that they had presented fake certificates.
Mr. Sanni expressed concern about the level of training the affected recruits may have received before they were sent home. He said the training could include weapons handling, intelligence gathering and operational skills.
He warned that some of the affected recruits could potentially use such skills to engage with criminal groups if they are not properly dealt with.
He further called for a holistic audit of the security recruitment process, saying the use of forged certificates could pose a threat to national security.
Mr. Sanni said it is possible that some applicants with fake certificates may have passed through the recruitment process undetected and could eventually be entrusted with sensitive intelligence and national security responsibilities.
He cited the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, which makes forgery and the possession or presentation of forged documents offences, and insisted that the affected recruits should be prosecuted.
“They should be dealt with according to the law,” Mr. Sanni said.
He added that failure to prosecute those involved could encourage others to present forged documents in future, knowing that they may only be asked to leave if they are caught.
Story by Sorkpa Jennifer
