Forgery: Court Halts Tinubu Minister's Attempt to Block UNN from Sharing Academic Records

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Forgery: Court Halts Tinubu Minister's Attempt to Block UNN from Sharing Academic Records

Legal Proceedings in the Case of Uche Nnaji

A legal case involving the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The hearing, which was scheduled for Monday, could not proceed due to the failure of the lawyers representing the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and its officers to file their responses.

The court, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, adjourned the matter until November 10 for further proceedings. The case, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, was initiated by Nnaji following allegations of certificate forgery against him. The minister has sued several entities, including the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, among others.

Nnaji's legal team sought multiple reliefs, including an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the university and its officials from tampering with his academic records. He also requested a mandamus to compel the release of his academic transcript and an interim injunction to prevent any further tampering with his records.

On September 22, the judge granted three of the requested reliefs but refused to issue any injunctive orders against the respondents. The matter was then adjourned until October 6 for further hearing.

During the latest hearing on Monday, Nnaji was represented by Sebastine Hon, SAN, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the 3rd to 7th respondents (UNN and its officers). However, no lawyer appeared for either the Minister of Education or the NUC, who are the 1st and 2nd respondents.

Hon informed the court that all parties in the suit had been served. He claimed that although the 3rd to 7th respondents were served on September 29, the 4th respondent, Prof. Ortuanya, wrote an official letter to PREMIUM TIMES, an online newspaper, on October 2, a few days after being served. This letter allegedly stated that Nnaji was not a graduate of the university.

The newspaper subsequently published a damaging statement against Nnaji titled: 'Investigation: The serial certificate forger in President Tinubu's cabinet.' Hon argued that even though the court had refused some of the applicant’s prayers, the respondents failed to maintain the status quo after being served. He claimed they went ahead to publish the damaging statement, contrary to the court’s rule that once leave is granted, all parties must not take further action.

Hon informed the court that the applicant would file further processes regarding the development. Asogwa, however, stated that while he would not give credibility to Hon’s claims, the respondents would properly advise their clients to maintain the status quo pending the substantive hearing.

He also mentioned that the 3rd to 7th respondents were still within time to file their responses. Justice Yilwa then adjourned the matter until November 10 for further hearing.

Key Parties Involved

  • Uche Nnaji: The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who filed the lawsuit.
  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): One of the main respondents in the case.
  • Prof. Simon Ortuanya: Vice-Chancellor of UNN and 4th respondent.
  • Minister of Education: 1st respondent in the case.
  • National Universities Commission (NUC): 2nd respondent.
  • Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam: Former acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN and 6th respondent.
  • Registrar, UNN: 5th respondent.
  • Senate of UNN: 7th respondent.

Legal Actions Requested

  • Prerogative Writs: To prohibit the university and its officials from tampering with Nnaji's academic records.
  • Mandamus: To compel the release of Nnaji's academic transcript.
  • Interim Injunction: To prevent any further tampering with his records pending the determination of the substantive suit.


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