The Lead Counsel at the O.A. Omotayo& Associates, Olu Omotayo, has called for the prosecution of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Madonna University, Elele, Prof. Martin Anagboso; Managing Director of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank, Aba, Abia State, Mr Mark Egbegolu; Rev. Sisters Annette Ezekwem and Getrude Okafor (who are personnel of the Madonna University).

South-East PUNCH gathered that the suspects were arrested a few months ago by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations bordering on fraudulent meddling of shareholders’ names and dates of birth, allegedly to evade payment of the sum of N1.2bn loan obtained in 2020.

In a letter dated October 2nd, 2025 and addressed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State on Monday, the Enugu-based legal luminary observed that since the investigation has been completed on the matter, it was expedient for the suspects to be prosecuted and arraigned in court.

The letter read, “We write to you in respect of the above-mentioned matter on behalf our clients, namely, Arch John-Paul Edeh, and Mrs. Maria Goretti Omego, to demand the immediate prosecution of Professor Martin Anagboso, the principal suspect in the alteration of shares of majority shareholders of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank Limited at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“The arrest of the principal suspect was sequel to the directive by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to investigate the criminal alteration of the record of the Bank at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“The principal suspect, Professor Martin Anagboso, is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Madonna University, which created a debenture in favour of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank Limited to secure a N1.2 Billion loan in 2020. In a bid not to repay the loan obtained from the bank, the principal suspect, in connivance with some persons, altered the record of shareholdings of majority shareholders of the bank at the Corporate Affairs Commission, to silence the vocal shareholders who were demanding the repayment of the loan facility granted to Madonna University.”

It added, “This action of the suspect and his collaborators in altering records at a National Institution like the Corporate Affairs Commission is an act of Economic Terrorism against our clients and the Nigerian State, which should not be allowed to go unpunished.

“We submit that since the investigation has been completed in this matter, we demand the immediate prosecution of Professor Martin Anagboso (who we were informed is planning to abscond outside the country) and his accomplices.

“As a serious country ready to restore the confidence of investors, this case should not be swept under the carpet or compounded. The principal suspect and his cohorts should be made to face the full wrath of the law and charged to court forthwith.”

The Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni has warned of an impending crisis across the nation’s universities, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to avert another disruptive strike by university-based unions.

In a statement issued after its Special Bi-Annual Delegates Conference held from October 1–4 at Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi, the association said the government must prioritise dialogue and address long-standing issues threatening the stability of the academic calendar.

The conference, which drew delegates from 36 member associations across the six geopolitical zones, also called for an amendment to Nigerian university laws to grant statutory representation to alumni presidents on university governing councils.

ANUA National President, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, said the current situation demanded urgent attention.

“Nigeria’s academic calendar cannot afford another disruption,” Ochefu said. “We call on the Federal Government to prioritise negotiations with university-based unions and ensure lasting peace in the sector.”

The alumni body stressed that the Federal Government must engage university unions proactively and comprehensively to guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar, which it described as “non-negotiable for national progress.”

It added that including alumni presidents on university governing councils would ensure that “alumni experience is formally integrated into university decision-making processes.”

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities  has reaffirmed its resolve to embark on a two-week warning strike starting October 13 if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding demands.

ASUU’s position was contained in a strike bulletin and reiterated by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Monday during an Orientation and Leadership Training at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

“The warning strike has been issued, and we are not meeting to discuss it again as a union because our position has been taken,” Piwuna said. “By midnight of Monday, we will embark on a two-week warning strike, after which we will meet to decide when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive action.”

He said the decision followed the government’s failure to implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement and to respond meaningfully to other unresolved issues despite multiple ultimatums.

“The issues remain the same; the re-negotiation of our 2009 documents is still lingering after years of promises,” he said. “We have given government enough time. They even asked for three weeks to get back to us and never did.”

On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Piwuna faulted the student loan policy, arguing that it was impractical in the current economic climate.

“We have told the government that we do not support loans in such a depressed economy,” he said. “Families can’t feed, unemployment is high; where do they expect repayment to come from? If they truly want to support education, they should give grants, not loans.”

He criticised reports that NELFUND had spent N14bn on personnel within a year despite having fewer than 100 staff.

“Some of these reports make us believe we are right,” he added. “A university with over 1,000 staff doesn’t spend that much in a year, including on buildings.”

ASUU National Financial Secretary,  Happiness Uduk, urged members to uphold the union’s values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, speaking on ‘Understanding the Dynamics of ASUU and University Administration’, called for deeper collaboration among members to strengthen university governance.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih, commended ASUU for its consistency and urged that such training workshops be held more frequently.

Earlier, the ASUU NDU Branch Chairman, Lucky Bebeteidoh, thanked the national leadership for its presence and reaffirmed members’ commitment to the union’s collective struggle.

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has urged the Nigeria police to probe the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.

Effiong made this call on Monday, while responding to questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.

He stated that the inconsistencies in the minister’s academic records and the conflicting statements from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and the minister himself required urgent attention.

The lawyer expressed shock that such alleged irregularities escaped scrutiny during Nnaji’s screening before appointment.

“How did all these things escape the scrutiny of the Nigerian State Security Service?

“As I speak to you, the State Security Service has maintained a conspiratorial silence. It is a conspiracy,” he added.

The human rights activist described the allegations as “grave” and urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend Nnaji pending investigation.

“This minister must be immediately suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“He has to surrender himself to the police for investigation for forgery; otherwise, they will be telling Nigerians that we are running a government of certificate forgers and criminality,” he added.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday, facilitated free medical outreach at Agboyi Ori Omi, a remote riverine community in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the outreach was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Health District 2 and the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps.

Some of the services provided include oral health checks and treatment, blood pressure checks, screening for TB, eye screening, blood sugar checks, HIV testing and counselling, and treatment of minor ailments.

The beneficiaries also got free glasses and free medication.
Gbajabiamila, who was represented by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, said health remained a priority to the people, including those at the grassroots.

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was taking health matters very seriously.
Urging the people of the island to take advantage of  the gesture, holding in three different communities in the state, Gbajabiamila urged the people to pay keen attention to their health

“The tests are done here, we are here for on-the-spot treatment when a diagnosis is being made. I think it is very laudable and it is in partnership with Lagos State Government.

“We want people to take advantage of this opportunity” Elliot said.
He said that the government would not relent in its commitment to continue to improve the standard and quality of healthcare across the country.
Also speaking, Lukmon Lawal, Special Adviser on Budget and Finance to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, applauded Gbajabiamila for his commitment to improving access to healthcare across the country.

Lawal said Gbajabiamila, over time, had demonstrated love for the ordinary people and had impacted lives through health care, education and empowerment.

“Bringing healthcare to one of the most forgotten communities in Lagos is commendable. Without improvement in healthcare, household income and education will suffer. So anytime, any day, we are winning with qualitative healthcare.

“Today, in their thousands, the Agboyi communities are enjoying medical outreach.
“Tomorrow, we will be at Primary Health Centre Ketu, and for Wednesday and Thursday, we will be at Ikorodu for two days.

“So, we are sending the message of Renewed Hope to all nooks and crannies of Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria,” Lawal said.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District 2,  Dayo Lajide, commended Gbajabiamila’s gesture.
“This island is a bit hard to reach, and our people really do need these services,” Lajide said, noting that the impact of the programme was remarkable.

“It is a big deal for us because we have over 41,000 people living on this island,” she said.
She said that the state government was working to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre on the island.

In her remark, the Chairman, Agboyi-Keyi LCDA,  Adetola Abubakar, applauded President  Tinubu for providing leadership for ordinary Nigerians.

Describing Gbajabiamila’s health intervention as special and apt, Abubakar thanked him for touching lives.
“Every aspect of our national life is being taken care of. The

Chief of Staff, like the President, has the welfare of the citizens at heart, bringing this very important health care project to us.”
She also appreciated the management of the Lagos State Health District 2 for helping to provide people with comprehensive and quality health services, especially at the grassroots.