Vadym Yermolayev Ukranian Tycoon Survives Monaco Bombing as French and Monégasque Authorities Investigate

French and Monégasque law enforcement authorities are investigating the attempted assassination of Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolayev following a bombing in Monaco. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly identified suspects or announced charges.

Yermolayev is known for building a business empire in Ukraine spanning real estate, manufacturing, and other sectors. His commercial activities have attracted public scrutiny over the years, particularly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Yermolayev. Ukrainian authorities said the measures were based on concerns regarding his business activities and alleged connections that, in their view, justified restrictive measures under Ukrainian law. Yermolayev has disputed the sanctions and has challenged actions taken against him.

Separately, media reports have described legal proceedings involving Yermolayev's son in connection with an alleged phone fraud scheme. Those reports concern a separate matter and are unrelated to the Monaco bombing investigation. The outcome and current status of those proceedings should be confirmed through court records or official statements.

The bombing has raised questions about the security of wealthy business figures with international profiles. However, investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive or identified those responsible, and no evidence released by authorities has established a connection between the attack and Yermolayev's business activities or the separate legal matters involving his family.

As of now, the investigation remains active, and officials in France and Monaco have released limited public information regarding the case.

Former Minister Uche Nnaji arrested over certificate forgery scandal.

 

The immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested on Wednesday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, where he was scheduled to board a chartered flight to Abuja.

Authoritative sources at the airport confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES, saying Mr Nnaji would be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.

The ICPC had been on the trail of the former minister since he resigned from office last year following investigations that revealed he forged his academic certificates.

In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji for investigation into the certificate forgery scandal. Beyond the arrest order, the court also granted the commission leave to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media.

The ICPC’s invitation to Mr Nnaji followed a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, published in October last year, which found that the then-minister forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.

He had submitted the forged documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

The newspaper’s findings showed that the forged bachelor’s degree and NYSC certificate were also presented to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the State Security Service, and the Senate.

The former minister later admitted that UNN never issued him a degree certificate, an admission that validated this newspaper’s investigation.

Mr Nnaji had initially denied the existence of the court order against him, describing a PREMIUM TIMES’ report as a “media trial.”

On 18 June, Mr Nnaji filed an appeal against the arrest order at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, according to a notice of appeal exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.