Premium Times has reveald how it uncovered Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji’s certificate scandal.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, has detailed how the newspaper uncovered the alleged academic certificate fraud involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, Mojeed revealed that the investigation was triggered by a whistleblower who alerted the newsroom to inconsistencies in Nnaji’s academic records nearly two years ago.
ALSO: Geoffrey Nnaji Denies Forgery Allegations, Says Resignation Not Admission of Guilt
“A whistleblower had written to us via email to raise concern and alert us about some discrepancies in the minister’s claim,” Mojeed explained. “They didn’t know him personally but believed that if we investigated diligently, something shocking would come out. We took up the challenge and began the investigation in 2023.”
He said reporters were immediately deployed to Abuja and Enugu to verify the whistleblower’s claims, adding that the outlet formally contacted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on September 23, 2023, as part of its verification process.
“We had no problem with the minister; we did not even know him,” Mojeed said. “Our duty as journalists is to hold power accountable, and when matters like this arise, we investigate. Sometimes they lead to nothing; other times, they expose wrongdoing. That is our constitutional responsibility.”
Mojeed also dismissed allegations by the minister’s spokesperson, Robert Ngu, that Premium Times received ₦100 million from the Enugu State Government to publish the exposé.
“Robert Ngu accused us of receiving ₦100 million from the Enugu government,” Mojeed said. “He will have to prove that in court. Premium Times has built its reputation for nearly 15 years, producing award-winning investigative reports. Nobody has ever accused us of taking bribes, and we won’t let anyone tarnish that record.”
Nnaji resigned from office on Tuesday following mounting controversy over the authenticity of his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his NYSC discharge certificate.
In his resignation statement, the former minister insisted that stepping down was a personal and principled decision, not an admission of guilt.
“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he said. “In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”
Nnaji maintained that he graduated from UNN in 1975, though reports indicate that the university could not verify his academic records. He described the allegations as part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
“Over the past week, an orchestrated and malicious campaign of falsehoods has been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media,” he stated. “These unfounded allegations have caused personal distress and distracted from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”
Nnaji, appointed in August 2023, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve. The President, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accepted the resignation and wished the former minister success in his future endeavors.
