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Ex-Minister Nnaji’s aide gives update on certificate forgery allegation
…says panel not mandated to determine whether Nnaji forged certificate
Dr Robert Ngwu, the Special Adviser to former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji, has clarified reports claiming that a Federal Government panel confirmed certificate forgery against the ex-minister.
Ngwu, who made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday, in Abuja, said the investigative panel was not constituted to determine whether Nnaji forged a certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
He explained that the panel was set up following a petition Nnaji submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education over alleged misconduct by some officials of the university.
Ngwu said that report in some quarters suggested the panel had confirmed certificate forgery involving the former minister.
“The panel referenced in media reports was never constituted to determine whether Chief Uche Nnaji forged a certificate.
“It was set up following his petition to investigate alleged misconduct by certain university officials.
“It is, therefore, misleading for any publication to suggest that the panel has already established certificate forgery when its official findings have not even been released.
“The matter concerning Chief Nnaji’s academic records is currently before a competent court, and it would be inappropriate for anyone to pre-empt the outcome of both the panel’s report and the judicial process.
“We urge the public to await the official report of the investigative panel and the final determination of the court before drawing conclusions on the matter,” Ngwu said.
He, however, said the official findings of the panel had not yet been released by the ministry.
According to him, Nnaji’s petition accused certain UNN officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, of intimidation and unlawful access to confidential student records.
Ngwu added that the petition also alleged tampering with academic records and disclosure of personal academic data without authorisation.
He said the petition argued that such actions could contravene provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other public service regulations.
“The petition also questioned a document allegedly used to justify the university administration’s actions.
“The Public Complaints Commission confirmed that a letter purportedly issued from its office was fraudulent,” he said.
Ngwu said the commission noted that no complaint had been filed against Nnaji and that the alleged author of the letter was not its staff member.
He also said the dispute over Nnaji’s academic records was currently before the Federal High Court.
Ngwu said Nnaji was seeking an order compelling the university to release his academic transcript, which he reportedly requested since May 2025.
He said proceedings at the Feb. 26 court sitting before Justice H. J. Yilwa could not continue due to procedural issues.
According to him, the court file lacked proof of service, while some respondents’ filings were not properly regularised.
Ngwu said counsel representing the university leadership sought an adjournment to address the issues.
He said the request was not opposed by Nnaji’s legal team from the chambers of Wole Olanipekun and Sebastine Hon.
Ngwu said the central issue remained Nnaji’s request for the release of his academic transcript from UNN.
He added that claims suggesting the panel had already confirmed certificate forgery were premature. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has restated that his government is committed to addressing the country’s main problems, including economic difficulties, power shortages and safety issues.
Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu stated that his government is still focused on policies aimed at helping the poorest and most at-risk Nigerians.
He said: “We won’t stop moving forward, and we’ll keep looking for ways to help those who are struggling.
“This is a government that really cares.”
He noted that having steady power supply is very important for development, stressing that industrial growth and learning new skills mostly rely on having dependable electricity.
“You can’t have industrial growth, learning new skills, or people gaining strength without having enough power.
“I promise Nigerians that we will provide electricity to support our country’s development,” he said.
The president also thanked Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for the way he leads the state.
“Diri has shown the strength of leading with a clear purpose, and I am here today making a promise that the challenges we face, along with the legacy of those who led this country, including the battles and difficulties of ensuring security, will be met with hard work to properly equip and train our men and women in the Armed Forces. We will defeat terrorism and banditry.”
The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Dr Peter Chukwu is dead.
A source said the Bishop died where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
Meanwhile, a social media influencer, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, in a post on his Facebook page, mourned the demise of the Bishop.
He wrote, “A very bad one for us in Ebonyi State. The loss of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr Peter Chukwu is a terrible loss.
“This loss is huge. God knows why, but it’s painful losing him in his 50s. A refined man and Associate Professor. This loss is beyond Ezza’s loss. It’s well. We can’t take war to God’s place. Kidney transplant issue. NCN.”
The authorities of the Catholic Church is expected to issue an official statement announcing the demise of the Bishop.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years’ imprisonment for aiding terrorism through the sale of petroleum products to insurgents.
The trial judge, Peter Lifu, convicted Habeeb on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism filed by the Federal Government.
Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, had pleaded guilty to the charge upon arraignment, admitting that he sold fuel to members of the Boko Haram operating in the North-East.
The convict, however, claimed that the transactions might have been carried out by attendants at his filling station.
During the proceedings, Habeeb appealed for leniency, kneeling in the dock as he urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
He told the court that he had two wives and six children and had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his family.
Counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the support provided to the terrorist group had serious consequences.
Kaswe submitted that the supply of fuel enabled the insurgents to power motorcycles used in attacks, leading to loss of lives and displacement of communities.
He urged the court to impose a stiffer penalty, noting that although the defendant had spent over a decade in custody, a 20-year sentence would be appropriate.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence establishing that the defendant was a member of Boko Haram or had undergone weapons training.
He, however, ruled that the admission of selling fuel to the insurgents was sufficient to sustain the charge of aiding terrorism.
The judge also noted that the prosecution did not challenge the defendant’s claim of prolonged detention.
Justice Lifu consequently sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment.
He ordered that the sentence should take effect from the date of the convict’s arrest and detention.
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