An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied issuing the degree and discharge certificates allegedly presented by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The investigator, Superintendent of Police Yakubu Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Monday, October 26, 2026, while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the trial of the former minister.

Naija News reports that Nnaji is facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, fraud, conferring corrupt advantage and providing false information in connection with the alleged presentation of forged university and NYSC certificates.

Testifying under questioning from the prosecution counsel, J. A. Mumini (SAN), Ibrahim said the ICPC launched an investigation after receiving two separate petitions accusing Nnaji of certificate forgery.

He explained that the chairman of the commission’s Special Task Force subsequently directed that the allegations be investigated.

According to the witness, the investigative team wrote to the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), UNN and the NYSC to obtain relevant documents and verify the claims.

Ibrahim said the ICPC contacted UNN to authenticate a Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology and Biochemistry allegedly submitted by Nnaji to the Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.

He told the court that the university responded that it had not issued the certificate attributed to the former minister, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State for the 2027 election.

The witness further stated that the NYSC denied issuing a discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986, which Nnaji allegedly presented.

He added that UNN supplied the investigators with the former minister’s academic records, including a withdrawal notice reportedly connected to his failure to obtain the required grade in a course.

When the prosecution sought to tender copies of the correspondence between the ICPC and the two institutions, defence counsel Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said he would not oppose their admission at that stage but reserved the right to challenge them later.

How ICPC Tracked Down Nnaji

Ibrahim also explained that the investigative team initially encountered difficulties inviting Nnaji for questioning because it could not locate his address.

He said the head of his section later sent an invitation dated May 5, 2026, to the former minister through his email address and WhatsApp number.

According to the witness, after Nnaji failed to honour the invitation, the ICPC contacted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for assistance in securing his arrest.

Ibrahim told the court that Nnaji was arrested on July 1 and subsequently questioned, making statements dated July 1 and 2.

Investigator Makes Concessions During Cross-Examination

During cross-examination, Ibrahim admitted that he did not personally visit UNN during the investigation and did not know the faculty to which Nnaji had been admitted.

He maintained, however, that members of the investigative team interviewed the university’s Registrar.

The witness also acknowledged that investigators had not established where the allegedly forged certificates were produced.

When asked whether the team investigated where Nnaji completed his national service, Ibrahim said it did not, explaining that the NYSC had already denied issuing the discharge certificate.

“The NYSC said the certificate was not issued by it, which was why we didn’t inquire where he served,” he told the court.

Ibrahim also discussed a withdrawal notice supplied by UNN, which he identified as Exhibit C and said was dated November 7, 1984.

He explained that the university outlined its academic requirements for students to qualify for certificates, adding that a student who failed a course four times would not be eligible.

According to the witness, Nnaji failed at two stages and missed the examination at the third stage for medical reasons.

He further claimed that the former minister subsequently sat for a supplementary examination for which he had not registered.

However, during cross-examination, Olanipekun suggested that a later letter dated March 18, 1985, had reversed the earlier withdrawal notice.

Ibrahim agreed with the suggestion, explaining that the withdrawal notice related to a General Microbiology course.

The investigator also admitted that the team did not establish the number of years students studying Microbiology were expected to spend at the university.

He further confirmed that Nnaji made no comment on the allegations when questioned by investigators.

Following the cross-examination, the prosecution did not ask any additional questions.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently discharged the witness and adjourned the case until November 3 for further hearing.

Nigeria may face significant public health challenges from extreme heat in the coming months as a strengthening El Niño climate pattern raises concerns about higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns across the country, Naija News reports.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab have projected that Nigeria could experience an additional 31,400 heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027 if the forecast conditions occur.

The estimate, published in September, ranks Nigeria among the countries expected to record some of the highest numbers of additional heat-related deaths during the period.

However, the figure is a scientific projection rather than a confirmed death toll, and it does not mean that the deaths will inevitably occur.

The warning follows a September 3 report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which stated that El Niño had become firmly established and was expected to intensify into a very strong event, with potential effects on global weather patterns extending into early 2027.

Nigeria’s weather agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), also confirmed the onset of a strong El Niño event in its August 2026 climate update, cautioning that the development could influence weather conditions.

What Exactly Is El Niño?

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterised by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Although the warming occurs thousands of kilometres away from Nigeria, it can influence atmospheric circulation around the world, potentially changing temperature and rainfall patterns in different regions.

El Niño is part of a broader climate cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Its opposite phase, La Niña, occurs when sea surface temperatures in the same region of the Pacific Ocean become cooler than normal.

According to the WMO, El Niño typically occurs every two to seven years and generally lasts between nine and 12 months. Its effects differ across regions and may be influenced by other climate conditions.

Consequently, a strong El Niño does not automatically mean that every part of Nigeria will experience drought, flooding or extreme heat. However, it can increase the likelihood of unusual weather patterns, making advance preparation essential.

Why Nigeria Should Be Concerned

The potential impact of extreme heat extends beyond uncomfortable weather. Rising temperatures can threaten human health, agricultural production, water supplies and other essential services.

The Climate Impact Lab estimates that extreme heat could contribute to 451,000 additional deaths worldwide between June 2026 and February 2027, compared with a normal year. Nigeria accounts for a projected 31,400 of those deaths between September 2026 and February 2027.

The figures should not be interpreted as a certainty that a particular number of Nigerians will die. Instead, they highlight the potential scale of the health threat if temperatures rise and adequate protective measures are not implemented.

1. Extreme Heat Could Endanger Lives

One of the major concerns is the impact of prolonged exposure to high temperatures on human health.

Extreme heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, heatstroke, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies older people, infants, outdoor workers and individuals with underlying health conditions as particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

People working on farms, construction sites, in markets and along roads may face increased risks because of the long hours they spend outdoors, especially under direct sunlight.

To reduce these risks, Nigerians are advised to drink water regularly, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, seek shade or cooler environments and avoid strenuous physical activities during the hottest hours of the day whenever possible.

Residents should also check on elderly relatives, children, neighbours and others who may be more susceptible to extreme temperatures.

Anyone who experiences severe symptoms such as confusion, convulsions or loss of consciousness during extreme heat should receive emergency medical attention.

2. Farmers Could Face Unpredictable Rainfall

Agriculture is another sector that could be affected by changes in rainfall patterns associated with shifting climate conditions.

If the rainy season ends earlier than expected or dry spells become prolonged, farmers may struggle to obtain sufficient water for their crops. Such conditions could disrupt planting schedules, affect crop development and reduce harvests.

Conversely, excessive rainfall in certain areas could trigger flooding, wash away crops and damage farmland.

NiMet’s August 2026 seasonal update highlighted the possibility of varying rainfall conditions across the country. Its outlook for August to October 2026 projected normal to above-normal rainfall across much of northern Nigeria, while parts of the South-West and Cross River State were expected to experience normal to below-normal rainfall.

These regional differences underline the importance of farmers following NiMet’s localised forecasts and adjusting their planting and water-management plans accordingly.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that it generated ₦8.529 billion from the sale of nomination forms, party dues, levies and donations from supporters within its first seven months of operation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party also disclosed that it spent ₦2.402 billion on political activities, including primary elections, publicity, staff salaries and other operational expenses.

The NDC National Treasurer, Peter Onigah, revealed the figures in Abuja on Monday while presenting the party’s financial statement at its third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Naija News reports.

Onigah said the disclosure reflected the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring members and the public that its financial records would be open to scrutiny.

He added that a comprehensive breakdown of the party’s financial transactions would be made available before the end of its first accounting year.

“We have been very prudent. Our shelf is made up of technocrats, people who are experienced and people who have different capacities,” he said.

The treasurer explained that the party relied on financial contributions from its members and supporters because it did not yet have representatives in government.

“As a new party, we don’t have people in government yet. All of us are outside the government. So, we need to contribute together and ensure that our party will prevail and achieve the desired objectives,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the decision to disclose the party’s finances was part of its regular accountability process and not a reaction to what he described as frivolous allegations circulating on social media.

Cleopas noted that political parties were required to submit their financial reports to the appropriate government institutions at the end of each year.

However, he said the NDC chose to brief its members on its financial position before completing its first year to promote transparency and build confidence in the party’s leadership.

“We are not up to one year. That will be after our presidential elections. But just because of what we are coming out from, we, the managers of the party, feel that in a network like this, even as we are not going into details, people must know what we are and how we are functioning and how we are managing,” he said.

He added that every party member had the right to understand how their collective resources were being managed.

“It is therefore the right and opportunity of every individual member to hear and to know what we are doing with our common resources,” Cleopas stated.

The chairman also disclosed that the party’s national leadership had prioritised the distribution of funds to its state chapters, assuring them that allocations would be made in line with the party’s constitution and objectives.

He further revealed that the NDC’s reconciliation committee had visited various geopolitical zones to engage aspirants who were dissatisfied with developments within the party ahead of the next election.

Cleopas urged members to set aside their differences and unite behind the party’s candidates to improve its chances of electoral success across the country.

“We are on a rescue mission for our nation. It is either now or never,” he said.

NDC Chairman Expresses Confidence In 2027 Victory

Cleopas also expressed confidence that the NDC would win the 2027 presidential election, predicting that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would emerge as president and vice-president, respectively.

He urged party members to remain confident in the NDC’s chances, insisting that it had sufficient popular support to win the election.

“And as I said somewhere else, this is not the time for doubters. This is not the time for people to say, they have already reached a result, for where? This is not the time for people to say, will we succeed?

“No. We are succeeding. We are taking over the government. We are forming a government. Peter Obi is the next president of this country.

“Rabiu Kwankwaso is the next vice president of this country. How? By legitimately winning the popular votes of this country. And we know we have the votes,” he said.

The NEC meeting was attended by Obi, Kwankwaso, NDC national leader Seriake Dickson, members of the party’s National Working Committee and other senior party officials.