The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned a discharge certificate linked to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, telling a Federal High Court in Abuja that the document was not issued by the Corps.

Testifying on Tuesday as the second prosecution witness (PW2) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, an NYSC Assistant Director in the Department of Certification, Yusuf Abubakar Jumare, said an investigation conducted by his department established that the certificate was not authentic.

Nnaji is facing six charges, including alleged forgery of his NYSC discharge certificate and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), degree certificate.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting him over allegations of certificate forgery and money laundering in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Jimoh Abdulmumuni, SAN, Jumare told the court that his department commenced an investigation into the disputed certificate following a request from the ICPC.

He identified four major discrepancies which, according to him, established that the certificate was not issued by the NYSC.

First, he said the certificate number, purportedly issued in 1985, carries the prefix “A”, which the Corps did not introduce until 1990.

Second, the call-up number on the document is “0137”, a four-digit number, whereas call-up numbers issued in 1985 had five digits.

Third, he said the certificate indicates a service period of 13 months instead of the required 12 calendar months.

The fourth discrepancy, according to the witness, relates to the designation of the NYSC chief executive who purportedly signed the document.

He explained that from the establishment of the Corps until after the period of Nnaji’s claimed service, the designation of its chief executive was “Director”, whereas the disputed certificate was signed by an official described as “National General”.

The prosecution also tendered copies of correspondence between the ICPC and the NYSC concerning the disputed certificate. The documents were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits.

However, the defence informed the court that it had not been served with the documents and reserved its right to challenge their admissibility at a later date.

In response, prosecution counsel explained that he had only recently taken over the case and undertook to make the documents available to the defence.

During cross-examination by Bode Olanikpekun, SAN, Jumare maintained that the certificate was not issued by the NYSC.

He told the court that his department is the custodian of all NYSC certificates, which are issued to corps members upon successful completion of their service year as evidence of their participation in the scheme.

The witness further explained that the NYSC sends call-up letters to universities for onward distribution to graduates, while universities are responsible for forwarding the names of eligible graduates to the Corps for mobilisation.

However, Jumare admitted under cross-examination that he did not verify whether Nnaji had ever been issued an NYSC certificate.

Nnaji, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming Enugu State governorship election, was represented in court by a team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanikpekun, SAN. Other members of the legal team included Chief Ugwu Onoja, SAN; Bode Olanikpekun, SAN; and George Ibrahim, SAN.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until November 30 for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW2, while January 29 was fixed for the continuation of the trial.

Gunmen have abducted two visually impaired persons, a man and a woman, in Plateau State, demanding N50 million for their release after attacking a vehicle conveying nine passengers in Riyom Local Government Area.

The victims were reportedly travelling from Benue State to Jos alongside seven other passengers when the vehicle was intercepted by the gunmen at about 8pm on Monday.

While seven occupants managed to escape during the attack, the assailants seized the two persons and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

The Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Plateau State, Shindol Aaron, confirmed the incident, explaining that the victims had travelled to Benue for a training programme but decided to return to Jos after receiving information that the event had been postponed.

According to him, the passengers were on their way back to Jos when they encountered the kidnappers, who abducted two occupants and allowed the remaining seven to escape.

He said, “They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped, and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody.”

Aaron disclosed that the abductors had contacted someone in connection with the incident, although he had yet to establish direct communication with them.

He added that the association had reported the abduction to security agencies and was working with relevant authorities to secure the victims’ release.

Another member of the association, Ishaya Ayuba Danjatau, disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of the two victims.

He expressed concern over the difficulty of raising such a huge amount, particularly given the vulnerable circumstances of the abducted persons.

“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50 million before they can free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” he queried.

Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred, for confirmation and comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across 10 states in the last 48 hours, including the rescue of seven police officers following a deadly bandit ambush in Zamfara State, the arrest of suspects linked to violent crimes and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and suspected illicit drugs.

The operations also led to the rescue of three nursing mothers abducted during an armed attack in Kogi State.

The developments were contained in a state-by-state operational update released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

In Zamfara State, tactical search and rescue teams comprising operatives of the Command Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit recovered the bodies of five police officers killed during a bandit ambush.

The officers were reportedly travelling to the state to carry out security duties during the APC rerun primary elections when armed bandits attacked their team.

The operation also resulted in the rescue of seven officers who escaped unhurt, while two others who sustained gunshot injuries were evacuated to hospital for medical attention.

The attackers reportedly carted away five service AK-47 rifles, prompting joint security reinforcements to intensify efforts to recover the weapons and apprehend the perpetrators.

The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gusau, has commenced an investigation into the incident.

Police Rescue Three Nursing Mothers in Kogi

In Kogi State, police operatives rescued three nursing mothers following an armed attack on a commercial Toyota Hummer Bus near Ebiya Town in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

The attack, which occurred at about 11:17 p.m. on November 1, reportedly left one passenger dead, while 13 others were abducted.

Police said the vehicle was recovered and the three women rescued, while joint security teams continued bush-combing and tactical operations to secure the release of the remaining victims.

Police Neutralise Suspected Robber in Ogun

Meanwhile, police operatives in Ogun State neutralised a suspected armed robber during a gun duel at Ijaba Area, Iyesi, Ota, in the early hours of November 1.

The patrol team had responded to a reported robbery when the suspects engaged the officers in a gun battle.

One of the suspected robbers was killed, while his accomplices reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the scene included a locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges, seven expended cartridges, a Nissan Almera, a Toyota Camry and suspected stolen household items.

Four Arrested Over Military Officer’s Murder in Nasarawa

In Nasarawa State, a joint operation by the police and military led to the arrest of four principal suspects in connection with the alleged murder of Corporal Benjamin Jige, a military officer reportedly stabbed to death by suspected cultists.

The suspects were identified as Godwin Tanko, 42; Abuchi Simon, 27; Divine Omegle, 32; and Samuel Alonge, 21.

They were arrested at New Legit Hotel following intelligence-led operations.

Police said other suspects, including an alleged leader of the Vikings Confraternity identified as Bigi Rasta and Simon Joshua Junior, had fled and were being tracked by security operatives.

Police Recover Firearms in Anambra

In Anambra State, police took custody of a 34-year-old suspect, Azubike Okoye, following his handover by military personnel.

The suspect was arrested at Umuoba Anam Beach in Anambra East Local Government Area with a pump-action rifle, a long Dane gun and 13 live cartridges.

Although he reportedly claimed to be a member of a local vigilante group, police said investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the firearms and their intended use.

Three Arrested During Drug Den Raid in Akwa Ibom

Similarly, operatives of the Quick Intervention Unit in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, raided a suspected drug den along Umuahia Road, arresting three persons.

The suspects were identified as Fredrick Udom, 29; Francis Solomon Usuro, 23; and Abasiama Fredrick Udom, 38.

The operation, conducted on November 1, led to the recovery of large quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis and three Android mobile phones believed to have been stolen.

Police Investigate Abduction of 27-Year-Old Man in Delta

In Delta State, police have launched an investigation into the reported abduction of 27-year-old Godbless Arenti from a rented apartment at Oviri-Ogor, on the outskirts of Ughelli.

A search of the scene led to the recovery of two live rounds of ammunition and two expended 7.62 x 39mm cartridge shells.

Police said intelligence-tracking and bush-combing operations were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.

Suspect Arrested Over Alleged Cable Vandalism in Gombe

In Gombe State, a 29-year-old suspect, Ahijo Boyi, was arrested during a visibility patrol after he was allegedly found with four rolls of electric cables suspected to have been vandalised along the stretch between the 301 Army Artillery Regiment and Gona Area.

The suspect reportedly confessed to conspiring with three other individuals who are currently at large.

Police said efforts were underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects and uncover the wider network behind the alleged vandalism.

Two Arrested Over Mob Killing in Enugu

Enugu State also recorded arrests following a mob attack that resulted in the death of an alleged suspect, Gideon Amidu.

Amidu was reportedly apprehended and severely assaulted by an angry mob along Aninwagbo Street, off Ebony Paint Road, Enugu.

He sustained multiple stab wounds and was rushed to St. Martin’s Hospital, Awkunana, where he was certified dead on arrival.

Following the incident, police operatives arrested two principal suspects allegedly linked to the attack, while investigations continued.

Two Truck Drivers Arrested After Accident Claims Seven Lives in Ogun

In another development in Ogun State, two truck drivers were arrested following a fatal multiple-vehicle accident at Asejire along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident involved a Dangote truck, a FAW truck and a Honda Civic carrying six passengers.

According to the police, the incident occurred when the Honda Civic driver attempted to avoid potholes while navigating a single-lane traffic diversion.

The vehicle reportedly collided with the rear tyre of the Dangote truck before crashing head-on into the oncoming FAW truck.

The resulting fire claimed seven lives, with the victims burnt beyond recognition.

Their remains were evacuated to Mercyland Hospital Mortuary for autopsy, while the vehicles involved were recovered for inspection by the Vehicle Inspection Office.

The two truck drivers, identified as Dahiru Saidu and Mamuda Idris, were arrested and remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the operational updates demonstrated the Nigeria Police Force’s continued efforts to combat violent crimes, strengthen public safety and improve security operations across the country.

The police reiterated their commitment to crime prevention, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.

The Force also urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support law enforcement efforts.