Premium Times To Sue’s Minister’s Aide Over ₦100m Bribery Allegation
The management of Premium Times has threatened to take legal action against Mr. Robert Ngwu, the spokesperson to the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, following his public accusation that the newspaper collected a ₦100 million bribe from the Enugu State Government.
Ngwu had made the controversial allegation on Tuesday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s morning show, The Morning Brief. During the interview, he claimed that Premium Times was “allegedly paid ₦100 million to start this process,” referring to the newspaper’s recent investigative report exposing alleged forgery of the minister’s academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
When pressed by the programme’s anchor, Kayode Okikiolu, to substantiate his claim with evidence or credible documentation, Ngwu alleged that the payment came from the Enugu State Government, which he described as “the person behind the mask.” However, despite repeated questioning, he failed to produce any form of proof to back his assertion, maintaining only that “we have our sources” and that “people gave verbal confirmation.”
In a prompt response, Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, described the accusation as both “baseless and defamatory,” warning that the paper’s legal team was already studying Ngwu’s remarks and preparing appropriate action.
“We are not a newspaper that anyone can casually malign,” Mojeed said. “For almost 15 years, Premium Times has built a solid reputation for integrity and fact-based journalism. We have published countless investigative reports that hold power to account, and never once has anyone credibly accused us of collecting bribes. Our work speaks for itself, and not even Robert Ngwu or Uche Nnaji can destroy that record.”
Mojeed further noted that the outlet’s lawyers would demand full retraction and proof of Ngwu’s allegation, insisting that the minister’s aide must “present concrete evidence showing how the money was offered, transferred, or received.”
Legal analysts say Ngwu’s comment, made on a national television network without substantiation, could amount to defamation and reputational damage, offences that carry significant civil consequences under Nigerian law.
Meanwhile, the Premium Times report at the centre of the controversy had detailed findings suggesting inconsistencies in Minister Nnaji’s academic qualifications and NYSC documentation. The newspaper’s investigation reportedly relied on official records and verifiable documents, a hallmark of its investigative tradition.
The unfolding dispute now sets the stage for a possible courtroom showdown, as Premium Times maintains its stance on journalistic integrity while demanding accountability from public officials who make false claims against the press.
