Certificate forgery: Minister’s suit against UNN, others stalled

The hearing of a suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and others was stalled on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Nnaji instituted the case following allegations that he forged the certificate he presented during his ministerial screening.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, the miniter listed the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the Registrar, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the Senate of the university as respondents.

Through an ex-parte motion, the minister is seeking orders to prohibit UNN officials from tampering with his academic records, compel them to release his transcript, and mandate the Education Minister and NUC to enforce compliance.

He also sought an interim injunction restraining UNN from further action on his records.

The presiding judge, Justice Hauwa Yilwa, had earlier, on September 22, granted some of Nnaji’s requests but refused to issue injunctive orders. The case was then adjourned for hearing.

Forgery: UNN never issued me degree certificate ― Minister

At Monday’s proceedings, Nnaji’s counsel, Sebastine Hon (SAN), told the court that the respondents had been served since September 29, but alleged that UNN’s Vice-Chancellor wrote to PREMIUM TIMES on October 2, claiming that Nnaji was not a graduate of the university.

The newspaper published a story on October 4 titled: “Investigation: The serial certificate forger in President Tinubu’s cabinet.”

Hon argued that the publication violated the rule of maintaining status quo once the court had granted leave. He informed the court that the applicant would file further processes in response to the development.

Counsel to UNN, E.M. Asogwa, said his clients were still within the legal timeframe to file their responses, but assured the court that they would advise them to maintain status quo pending the substantive hearing.

Justice Yilwa subsequently adjourned the matter to November 10 for hearing after lawyers representing UNN and its officials failed to file their responses on time.

The Star