*Court Rejects Minister Nnaji’s Bid To Stop UNN From Releasing Academic Records Amid Certificate Scandal
Pressure is mounting on the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, to resign from the Federal Executive Council following allegations of certificate forgery.
Two prominent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) — the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria — have called on the minister to step down and apologise to Nigerians pending a full investigation into the matter.
Speaking with newsmen, CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said politicians must stop resorting to dishonest means to obtain academic qualifications, stressing that the constitution only requires a school certificate to hold public office.
Rafsanjani said the minister’s continued stay in office despite the scandal reflects “a culture of impunity encouraged by proximity to power.”
“Well, I think the issue is that if you lie in your certificate, whether it is a degree or not, whether it is an asset declaration or not, once you are exposed, you should simply resign. You cannot promote lies and fraud while holding public office. What leadership example are you setting?” he said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to act decisively to preserve the integrity of his administration, saying, “The president cannot sit down and watch people who promote deception, manipulation, and fraud in the name of political loyalty.”
Rafsanjani added that several public officials facing integrity questions should also be investigated and held accountable.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), under which Nnaji serves, has remained silent on the allegations. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, did not respond to inquiries as of press time.
A professor of law, Ademola Adaranijo, also urged the Federal Government to suspend Nnaji from office pending the outcome of a transparent investigation, describing the move as vital to restoring public trust.
He called for a nationwide audit of the academic and professional credentials of serving and incoming public officials to prevent similar cases.
Lagos-based lawyer Wahab Abdullahi stated that if proven, the allegations amount to a criminal offence under Sections 366 and 368 of the Criminal Code Act, punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
He explained that the alleged forgery also violates the Fifth Schedule, Part I, of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, which prohibit false declarations for personal gain.
Similarly, the Director of the Public and Private Anti-Corruption Coalition (PPAC), Idowu Phillips, described the allegations as “grave and criminal,” warning against any attempt to cover them up.
“Certificate forgery is a crime that undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in government. Allowing a minister accused of such an offence to remain in office damages institutional integrity and breaches public trust,” Phillips said.
New details have emerged that the Minister recently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an interim injunction to restrain the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from releasing his academic records.
Justice Hausa Yilwa, however, declined the request.
In the suit, Nnaji had sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Senate, asking the court to bar them from tampering with or releasing his academic records.
He also sought a mandamus order compelling UNN to release his academic transcript.
After reviewing submissions from counsel, Justice Yilwa ruled that while the minister had sufficient interest in the case, his request for interim injunction lacked merit.
“The applicant has sufficient interest in the matter, but prayer four for injunctive reliefs is declined,” the judge held.
In a letter dated October 2, 2025, UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, informed Premium Times that the university had no record showing that Nnaji completed his studies.
According to the letter, “From every available record, Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981, but there is no record that he completed his programme. Consequently, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka did not and could not have issued the purported degree certificate in July 1985.”
The university reaffirmed an earlier position communicated to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, confirming that Nnaji never graduated from the institution.
In response, Minister Nnaji denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “politically motivated.”
Through his Special Adviser, Dr Robert Ngwu, the minister accused Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, of orchestrating the scandal to tarnish his image ahead of the 2027 elections.
He alleged that the governor influenced the UNN Vice-Chancellor to discredit his academic record.
“The minister has filed a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the release of his transcripts. We expect the court to resolve the matter swiftly,” Ngwu said.
The Ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs Pauline Sule, also dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” assuring that an official statement would soon be issued.
The Federal High Court is expected to resume hearing in the matter today, October 6, 2025.
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