Premium Times to sue Nnaji’s aide over bribery claim in certificate forgery saga

Musikilu Mojeed, editor-in-chief of PREMIUM TIMES, says the newspaper will take legal action against Robert Ngwu, spokesperson to Uche Nnaji, the former minister of innovation, science and technology. 

Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on ‘The Morning Brief’, a Channels Television programme, Ngwu alleged that PREMIUM TIMES received a N100 million bribe from the Enugu state government to pursue the investigation on Nnaji’s alleged certificate forgery.

“PREMIUM TIMES was allegedly paid N100 million to start this process,” the spokesperson had claimed.

Ngwu also admitted he had no proof to support his allegation when repeatedly asked to provide evidence.

Pressed further, the aide claimed the payment “allegedly” came from the Enugu government but failed to present any documentation.

“They (PREMIUM TIMES) were allegedly paid by the state government of Enugu state. That’s the person behind the mask,” he added.

‘OUR PRACTICE BUILT ON INTEGRITY’

An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES submitted that Nnaji did not complete his university education and that both the bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to Tinubu, as well as to the offices of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the senate, were forged.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme afterwards, Mojeed dismissed the bribery claim as “false and defamatory” while insisting the newspaper’s work was guided by integrity and professionalism.

“We are not a newspaper that anyone can malign. We have built our integrity for close to 15 years,” he said.

“We have done major investigative stories, and no one has ever accused us of bribery. Our practice is built solely on integrity. Not even Robert Ngwu or Uche Nnaji can destroy that.”

Mojeed said the paper’s lawyers had begun reviewing Ngwu’s comments and would ensure he substantiates his claim in court.

“He will have to present evidence of how the money was given and received,” he said.

“Our commitment is to ethical, investigative journalism and holding power accountable. We have done so consistently for 14 years as a newspaper and will continue to do so.

“Mr Ngwu should be ready to meet us in court, where he will have further opportunities to prove his allegations against us. We are not a newspaper he can so baselessly malign.”

‘CARRY YOUR CROSS, CLEAR YOUR NAME’

The Enugu state government has denied any involvement in the investigation.

“The Enugu state government dissociates itself completely from these allegations,” Chukwuemeka Nebo, the director of information in the state’s ministry of information and communication, said in a statement on Monday.

“The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him.”

Nnaji finally resigned on Tuesday.