Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Monday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged certificate forgery.

He was however granted bail in the sum of N20m.

Nnaji is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly forging his university degree and his NYSC discharge certificate.
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‎He was docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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‎‎Nnaji is facing six counts of forging a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
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‎‎The charges further covered claims of receiving approximately N29.5 million in salary and emoluments under false pretenses, as well as money laundering allegations
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‎‎After his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor informed the court that he was ready to proceed to trial, with three witnesses available in the courtroom already.
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‎‎Ogwu Onoja (SAN) counsel for the defendant pleaded for more time to prepare for trial and informed the court of a pending application for bail filed on 9 July. The prosecutor did not oppose to the application for bail.
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‎‎In a short ruling, the trial judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20million with one surety who must not be below level 15 in the Federal civil service. The surety must be residing in Abuja. Other terms of bail include that Nnaji deposits his official and personal passports.
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‎‎Nnaji being charged to court follows months of investigation questioning the authenticity of his documents. Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in question.
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‎‎He was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival from Enugu.
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‎‎The arrest was executed following a Federal High Court order issued on June 11, 2026, after he allegedly failed to honor multiple invitations for investigative interviews.
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‎‎Recall that Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position on October 7, 2025, describing the move as a “principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process” amid ongoing judicial proceedings, and denying any wrongdoing. He had previously described elements of the case as politically motivated.
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‎Nnaji is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State

•Says illegal goods on Dangote trucks to be confiscated

Dangote Industries Limited has intensified efforts to combat illegal haulage activities involving its trucks by unveiling a public whistleblowing initiative that offers a cash reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest of offenders or the interception of unauthorized goods and transportation of persons.

The company said the initiative, which will reward whistleblowers with N500,000.00 cash award, forms part of its broader commitment to protect the integrity of its logistics operations and eliminate the activities of unscrupulous individuals who illegally use Dangote-branded trucks to transport unauthorized goods.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the management urged members of the public to support the campaign by reporting any suspected cases of illegal haulage involving Dangote trucks, stressing that only specifically approved products are permitted to be transported by vehicles belonging to its various subsidiaries.

Dangote trucks

According to the company, Dangote Cement trucks are authorized to carry only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker, while Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks are restricted to the transportation of sugar products. Trucks belonging to NASCON Allied Industries are expected to carry Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products, while Dangote Packaging vehicles are designated for bags and packaging materials.

Similarly, trucks operated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals are permitted to transport polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorized for the haulage of urea fertilizer.

The company warned that any Dangote truck found transporting unauthorized goods would be treated as being involved in illegal haulage activities, adding that both the drivers and owners of such goods risk arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution under applicable laws.

“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira,” the company stated.

To aid investigations and enforcement efforts, the management of Dangote Group advised whistleblowers to provide detailed information when making reports. These include the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, location of the vehicle, description of the goods being transported, colour of the truck and photographs of the vehicle and cargo where possible.

The company has therefore established dedicated hotlines across its operations to receive reports relating to illegal haulage activities. Members of the public can report incidents involving trucks operating from the Obajana, Okpella and Gboko plants through certain dedicated telephone lines.

The Company stated that law enforcement agencies, including the Police, have been authorized to arrest any driver found using company trucks for unauthorized commercial haulage.

It reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud and called on the public to join hands with it in safeguarding legitimate business activities by exposing illegal operators.

Dangote Group emphasized that the initiative is designed not only to protect company assets and operations but also to strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance across its nationwide logistics network.

“Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities. We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system,” the statement added.

The company reaffirmed that all reports would support ongoing efforts to protect the Dangote brand, promote lawful business practices and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.i

The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus over the alleged assault of police officers, attempted murder, dangerous driving and the snatching of an AK-47 rifle during a dramatic escape in Enugu.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026, saying the incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on July 9 at the All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road, Enugu.

According to the statement, the suspects were initially flagged by operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) after the Control Room received a report that they had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty.

Ndukwe explained that rather than submit to arrest, the driver pretended to comply before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to flee.

“Acting on information received from the Command’s Control Room that the driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty, operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) intercepted and flagged down the vehicle. However, instead of submitting to arrest, the driver deceptively slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape,” he stated.

The police spokesperson said the fleeing vehicle knocked down one of the DRS operatives, while the officer’s AK-47 rifle became entangled with the bus and was dragged away during the escape.

“In the process, he knocked down one of the operatives and dragged away the officer’s AK-47 rifle, which had become entangled with the vehicle,” Ndukwe added.

He said that during a hot pursuit, the suspects eventually threw the rifle out of the moving vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along Abakaliki Road before speeding off.

“During the ensuing pursuit, the suspects threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along the same road before speeding off. The rifle was immediately recovered intact, with its ammunition,” he said.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered a full-scale investigation and directed operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute the fleeing suspects.

According to Ndukwe, the police commissioner also urged the driver and conductor to surrender themselves to the police, warning that every lawful measure was being deployed to ensure their arrest.

“CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa… has ordered a comprehensive investigation and intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects. He warned the driver and conductor to voluntarily present themselves to the Police for proper investigation, as every lawful measure is being deployed to apprehend them,” the statement read.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to ignore what he described as misleading accounts of the incident and warned against obstructing or attacking police officers performing their lawful duties.

“CP Giwa further urged the public to disregard misleading narratives surrounding the incident and cautioned against assaulting or obstructing police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties, stressing that such acts are serious criminal offences that will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law,” Ndukwe stated.