The Digest:
The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, has detailed the two-year investigative process that led to the exposure of the academic certificate fraud, which forced the resignation of Minister Uche Nnaji.
Key Points:
- The investigation was triggered by a 2023 tip-off from an anonymous whistleblower who emailed the newspaper about discrepancies.
- Mojeed stated the outlet had "no problem with the minister" and was simply fulfilling its constitutional duty to hold power accountable.
- Reporters were deployed to Abuja and Enugu, and official requests were sent to the NYSC as early as September 2023.
- The editor vehemently denied allegations from Nnaji's aide that Premium Times received a ₦100 million bribe, challenging them to prove it in court.
- He defended the outlet's 15-year integrity, built on diligent investigative reporting.
- This detailed account comes after Nnaji resigned but maintained his innocence, calling the scandal a "politically motivated" attack.
- The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, could not verify the academic records Nnaji presented for his ministerial appointment.
Sources: Premium Times
