Forgery

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

It was only a matter of time. Everyone paying close attention knew that Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, could not survive the certificate forgery storm. The handwriting was on the wall, and it finally happened. Nnaji bowed out.

The truth is simple and damning: Nnaji himself admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate. So the million-naira question is, where did the one he brandished come from?

UNN has washed its hands off the matter. The institution categorically stated that Nnaji never completed his studies and was never awarded a degree. In short, the certificate he paraded is fake.

And that’s not all. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also distanced itself from Nnaji’s so-called NYSC certificate, describing it as “strange.” A Premium Times investigation revealed yet another oddity: Nnaji’s NYSC record shows that he supposedly served for 13 months. Thirteen months! Even the NYSC found that hard to explain.

Of course, Nnaji claims that political enemies are behind his ordeal. But even if he knows the truth, no opponent can forge a certificate on your behalf. He laid the trap himself and walked right into it.

Let’s remember the facts. Nnaji was admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and was expected to graduate in 1985. But he reportedly failed some courses and never graduated. That means for over 40 years, Uche Nnaji neither regularised his academic records nor obtained a valid certificate, yet he rose through political ranks, occupying sensitive positions and waving fake credentials. Nnaji was careless, so to speak

Forty years of deception finally caught up with him. And this time, not even political connections could save him.

But beyond Nnaji’s personal fall lies a bigger question: how many more “Nnajis” are out there, quietly occupying sensitive positions in government, hiding behind forged papers and political influence? Some commentators are beginning to say that Nnaji’s case might just be the tip of a very large iceberg.

  Zayyad  I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of promoting forgery and deceit as instruments of governance, following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Atiku described Nnaji’s “voluntary resignation” as an attempt to cover up a scandal that exposes the “deep moral crisis” within the Tinubu government. He said Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted for falsifying documents rather than allowed to quietly exit.

Atiku also faulted the Department of State Services (DSS) for clearing Nnaji despite alleged discrepancies in his records, accusing the agency of “failing in due diligence” and embarrassing the nation.

He linked the scandal to what he called a wider pattern of deceit that “begins from the very top,” pointing to longstanding controversies over President Tinubu’s own identity and academic credentials.

“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” Atiku said, alleging that Tinubu’s personal history has “institutionalized falsehood in public service.”

The former vice president called for an independent and transparent investigation into the academic and professional records of all members of the Federal Executive Council, starting with the president.

Atiku concluded that Nigeria would continue to suffer “moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment” unless integrity was restored to public life.

By Uzair Adam

A High Court in Kano State on Tuesday ordered the remand of Zhang Qunfang, a Chinese national, in a correctional facility over allegations of forgery and destruction of property belonging to Huafei International Nigeria Ltd., located at No. 52 Hadejia Road, Gezawa District Area, Kano.

During the arraignment before Justice Ma’aji, prosecution counsel Eristio Asaph from the Force Headquarters legal department presented a charge filed on October 3, 2024, requesting the court’s approval to read the charges to the defendant.

However, defense counsel Ibrahim Abdullahi Chedi opposed the reading, contending that the case was not ready for arraignment as Qunfang had only received the charges that day.

He noted that Qunfang, arrested by INTERPOL in Abuja, had been granted administrative bail and argued that, according to Section 127 Sub 2 of the ACJL 2019, the defendant should be served seven days prior.

The prosecution responded that the defendant had refused to accept the charge sheet post-release on bail. After reviewing both sides, Justice Ma’aji granted permission to proceed with reading the two-count charge.

According to the charge, Qunfang allegedly forged the signature of Mr. Zhu Bin, a company client, to add her name as a signatory and used her access to withdraw $80,000 from the company’s account without approval from other directors.

Additionally, she is accused of intentionally demolishing a building owned by Huafei International Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecution asserted that these acts violate sections of the Penal Code Law. Qunfang pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court adjourned the session to November 1, 2024, to address the defense’s bail application and ordered her remand in custody pending the hearing.

By Uzair Adam

Four Nigerians have been sentenced to a combined total of 13 years in prison in the UK for their involvement in forging over 2,000 marriage certificates, which allowed people to live in the UK illegally.

Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and Adekunle Kabir were found guilty after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.

The individuals were accused of making fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications between March 2019 and May 2023.

They provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help Nigerian nationals remain in the UK.

An investigation by Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigators, in collaboration with Home Office International Operations based in Lagos, uncovered over 2,000 forged marriage documents.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, emphasized the group’s significant abuse of UK immigration laws, noting their sole motive was financial gain.

Onifade and Shodipo were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.

Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention but acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation.

Moran stated that the convictions serve as a warning to other gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain and reiterated the UK’s commitment to securing its borders and stopping such illegal activities.