General News
Nnaji, Former Minister Seeks Out-of-court Settlement over Certificate Forgery Allegations
Uche Nnaji
Uche Nnaji, former minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, has indicated interest to settle out of court with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and other parties in a certificate forgery dispute.
This was disclosed on Monday during proceedings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court Abuja, where the suit came up for hearing of pending applications.
Nnaji had approached the court in October 2025, following an investigation by Premium Times, alleging that the minister had forged his first degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates.
The report further faulted the minister for submitting the forged documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening.
Nnaji had subsequently resigned his position as minister following widespread controversy, stating that he did not want the issue to become a distraction from the activities of the administration.
The case has, however, stalled at the courts since it was instituted, due to procedural setbacks including issues relating to the service of court processes and multiple preliminary objections filed by the defendants.
When the matter was called on Monday, Ope Muritala, counsel to Nnaji, informed the court that although the case was slated for a hearing of pending applications, there was a fresh development, adding that parties were exploring an amicable resolution, requesting an adjournment to enable negotiations to continue.
“There is a new development as parties are exploring an out-of-court settlement,” he told the court.
P.C. Ike and N.H. Obah, lawyers representing the first (Minister of Education) and second (National Universities Commission) defendants, told the court they were not previously aware of the settlement discussions until they arrived at the court, but did not oppose the request for an adjournment to allow the talks to proceed.
Meanwhile, counsel to the third to seventh defendants, including the UNN and its principal officers, Chidubem Ugwueze, however, confirmed that the move towards settlement had been communicated earlier.
He told the court that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chris Uche, who is leading the defence team, had informed him of the development.
According to him, the information originated from another Senior Advocate, Wole Olanipekun, representing Nnaji.
Although he did not object to the proposed settlement, Ugwueze urged the court to proceed with hearing the defendants’ pending motion for regularisation in the event that settlement talks collapse.
However, Justice Yilwa declined the request, stating that it would be more appropriate to consider such applications only if the out-of-court resolution efforts fail.
In view of the parties’ disposition, the court adjourned the matter to July 8, 2026, for report of settlement or continuation of proceedings.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,
This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.
He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.
Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.
Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.
The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.
Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.
The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.
Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.
He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.
He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.
Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.
Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.
Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.
The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.
Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.
A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.
Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.
The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.
Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.
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