THE controversy surrounding allegations of certificate forgery against the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, deepened on Monday, October 6, after the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja stalled the hearing in the minister’s suit against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other respondents.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, could not proceed before Hauwa Yilwa due to the failure of the university’s lawyers to file their responses within time. The judge Yilwa consequently adjourned the matter until November 10 for hearing.
Nnaji had approached the court to challenge what he described as the university’s interference with his academic records following media reports that his Bachelor of Science degree was forged.
He joined the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and several of its senior officials as respondents in the suit.
Through his counsel, Sebastine Hon, a senior advocate, Nnaji sought several reliefs, including an order of mandamus compelling the release of his academic transcript and prohibiting the university from “tampering” with his academic records.
The Minister also asked the court to direct the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise supervisory powers over UNN to ensure compliance.
Although the judge earlier granted some preliminary reliefs, she refused to issue an injunction restraining the respondents from making public statements about the issue.
When the matter was called on Monday, he informed the court that, despite being served with court papers, UNN’s Vice Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, a professor, wrote a letter to an online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES, disowning Nnaji’s certificate.
Hon alleged that the respondents violated court procedure by making public statements on a matter already before the court. Counsel to the university, E.M. Asogwa, however, said his clients would maintain the status quo pending the substantive hearing.
The controversy stems from a PREMIUM TIMES investigation, which found that Nnaji’s Bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate were forged.
