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Alleged certificate forgery: Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji to be arraigned Monday

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Uche Nnaji, a former minister of innovation, science and technology, is set to be arraigned before a federal high court on Monday, 13 July.

According to reports, Nnaji is expected to be arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the anti-graft agency prosecuting the former minister.

The former minister’s arraignment  followed the conclusion of the investigation into his certificate forgery scandal and filing of criminal charges against the former minister.

The ICPC had filed six criminal charges against Mr Nnaji over his certificate forgery scandal.

Nnaji was arrested by officials of the anti-graft agencyon 1 July at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight.

His arrest followed a publicationby Premium Times, which revealed that the then-minister forged his UNN degree and NYSCcertificates, which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

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The six-count charge against Nnaji, according to Premium Times, are:

Count one states that Mr Nnaji “took possession” of N29.5 million (N29,578,466.67) through his Fidelity Bank account as basic salary and allowances while serving as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, “when you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption and fraud.”

The ICPC argued that, by this act, Mr Nnaji committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count two accuses him of using his ministerial office to “confer corrupt advantage” on himself during the same period. “You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,” the charge sheet reads.

Under count three, the ICPC alleges that Mr Nnaji, “with intent to mislead the Federal Government of Nigeria, knowingly gave false information” by presenting a “false Certificate of National Service” (Certificate Number: A231309) to the government for his ministerial appointment.

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The commission said he committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Count four alleges that, in August 2023, Mr Nnaji knowingly gave “false information” by presenting a Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate (Certificate Number: 004501) to the government, knowing it to be false, thereby violating the same section of the Corrupt Practices Act.

In count five, the ICPC alleges that, around May 1986, Mr Nnaji knowingly produced a false document – the Certificate of National Service (No. A231309) – and used it as genuine, committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

Count six alleges that Geoffrey Nnaji Uchechukwu (63), of Plot 1855, Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro, Abuja, knowingly produced a false document – a “University Degree Certificate of Microbiology/Biochemistry with Certificate Number: 004501”—purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985.

He is accused of using the document as genuine, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

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We have a say in who governs us, Oyedepo tells church members to get voter cards, vote

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Dr. David Oyedepo

The presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has advised members of the church to obtain their voter cards and participate in the electoral process as responsible citizens.

Oyedepo, while speaking on Sunday during the church’s service at the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun state, said Christians have a civic responsibility to participate in deciding who governs their countries.

“We have a civic responsibility as responsible citizens of our various nations. This church is today in 144 nations,” the cleric said.

“So, endeavour to secure your voter cards. You are men and women of the spirit. You should know on your own personal conviction where to cast your vote.”

Oyedepo said members of the church are bona fide citizens of their respective countries and should not remain indifferent to the electoral process.

“We are not passers-by in our nations. We are bona fide citizens of the nation. We have a right to participate in who governs us,” he said.

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“So, please go ahead. It’s part of our policy; you will find it in our mandate. So, go ahead and ensure that you secure your voter’s right.”

The presiding bishop said the size of the church’s membership gives it a stake in national affairs.

“And this church, with the millions that we have, we have a say in it. So, be part of it,” he added.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: Troops kill 274 insurgents as Nigeria records 882 attacks

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1. At least 792 persons lost their lives in 882 security incidents across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in June 2026, with the military killing 274 insurgents, according to the latest report by SARI Global, a risk intelligence and security analysis firm that specialises in providing operational data, climate intelligence, and crisis management support for organisations working in the world’s most volatile environments.

This is as the report staed that the Islamic State West Africa Province launched a coordinated strategy in the Monguno axis of northern Borno that blocked access to humanitarian aid from reaching hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons.

2. An insight into what the rescued pupils and teachers of schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State went through during their 56 days in captivity came to the fore yesterday.
Some of the male teachers were chained and blindfolded throughout the period. This is in addition to the brutal beheading of one of the teachers in the early days of their abduction

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3. Gunmen have killed 36 people, including nine members of the same family, in separate attacks on communities in Plateau, Benue and Niger states. The attacks, which occurred over the weekend, are the latest in a series of assaults on rural communities by armed men who have continued to kill and kidnap residents while destroying livelihoods.

4. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says it has uploaded the names of its presidential, vice-presidential, and national assembly candidates for the 2027 elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the party’s national chairman, announced the development in a statement issued on Sunday


5. Rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may reunite with their families today (Monday) following their anticipated formal handover by the military to the Oyo State Government after 48 hours of medical observation. The victims, who regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity, have been receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support at the Headquarters of the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan.


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6. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered video recordings indicating the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as the group’s trainer and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor for the insurgents. The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

7. The police will arraign Adeniyi Adeyemi, self-acclaimed Director-General, DG of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday. In a fresh court document marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, Adeyemi and two others were charged with eight counts of forgery, impersonation, among others.

8. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Ann, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria while travelling with her three-year-old son. According to the agency, the suspect was arrested on Monday, July 6, 2026, during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1433 from Doha.

See also  Notorious ISWAP ‘sniper, chief prosecutor killed in air strikes’ in Borno

9. The All Progressives Congress has said the failure of opposition political parties to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections reflects what it described as their lack of preparedness for the polls. In a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, APC said the opposition lacks the ability to effectively manage its internal processes.

10. Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, says he has initiated legal action against individuals spreading what he described as false reports about a nurse’s death. Umahi spoke on Sunday while inspecting work along the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway. Social media claims alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse, Mary Habila, inside Umahi’s compound in his hometown.

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Troops kill top ISWAP cameraman,uncover link with foreign terrorist trainer, doctor in Borno forest

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.

The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

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“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”

The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.

He said the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.

“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.

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He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.

The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.

He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.

“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.

According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.

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“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.

He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.

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