Key Takeaways
- An ICPC investigator testified that the University of Nigeria (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) disowned certificates presented by former Minister Uche Nnaji.
- Nnaji is facing a six-count charge related to alleged corruption, fraud, and presenting forged university degree and national service certificates.
- UNN provided Nnaji's academic records, including a notice of withdrawal due to academic failure.
- The defense counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), reserved objections to the documents tendered by the prosecution.
- The ICPC initially faced challenges locating Nnaji, eventually liaising with the EFCC for his arrest and questioning.
Abuja, Nigeria – The trial of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, took a dramatic turn yesterday as an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) told a Federal High Court in Abuja that both the University of Nigeria (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have disowned the academic and discharge certificates he allegedly presented for his ministerial screening in 2023.
Superintendent of Police, Yakubu Ibrahim, serving as the first prosecution witness, testified against Nnaji, who is currently facing a six-count charge. These charges include alleged corruption, fraud, conferring corrupt advantage, and providing false information through the purported presentation of forged university degree and national service certificates. The gravity of these allegations underscores the nation's ongoing battle against corruption and the imperative for integrity in public service.
The ICPC's Investigation Unfolds
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel J.A. Mumini (SAN), Ibrahim detailed the ICPC's investigation, which commenced after the commission received two separate petitions alleging certificate forgery against Nnaji. He explained that his team was assigned to the case following a directive from the Chairman of the Special Task Force. This prompted the commission to request crucial documents from the National Assembly, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps.
The investigator informed the court that the team specifically wrote to UNN to authenticate a Bachelor of Science certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry allegedly submitted by Nnaji to the Senate. The university's response was unequivocal: it did not issue the said certificate to the former minister, who was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu for the 2027 election. Similarly, the team contacted the NYSC regarding a discharge certificate dated May 15, 1986, which the NYSC also disowned, stating it had not issued any such certificate to Nnaji.
Academic Records and Legal Maneuvers
Further complicating Nnaji's defense, Ibrahim testified that UNN supplied investigators with the defendant’s academic records, including a notice of withdrawal issued due to his failure to obtain the required grades in a course. When presented with copies of the correspondence between the ICPC and the two institutions, the witness identified the documents, which the prosecution then sought to tender as evidence. Defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), allowed the documents to be admitted at that stage, reserving his objection for a later time in the proceedings, a common legal strategy.
Ibrahim also shed light on the challenges faced in interviewing the defendant. He stated that after an initial invitation issued by his section head could not be delivered due to an inability to locate Nnaji's address, a copy of the invitation, dated May 5, 2026, was sent to his email and WhatsApp number. Following Nnaji's failure to honor the invitation, the ICPC collaborated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to effect his arrest on July 1. Nnaji was subsequently questioned and made statements on July 1 and 2.
Cross-Examination Reveals Nuances
During cross-examination by Olanipekun, the witness admitted he did not personally visit UNN during the investigation and was unaware of the specific faculty Nnaji had been admitted to. However, he maintained that other members of the investigating team had interviewed the university’s Registrar. When pressed on where the alleged certificates were forged, Ibrahim stated he did not know. He also confirmed that Nnaji made no comments on the allegations when questioned by investigators. The team did not investigate where Nnaji might have undertaken national service because the NYSC had already disowned the certificate entirely.
Ibrahim confirmed seeing a notice of withdrawal supplied by UNN, identifying it as Exhibit C, dated November 7, 1984. He explained that UNN's letter clarified its policy on grades, stating that failure four times disqualified a student. He noted Nnaji failed at two stages and did not write the examination at the third stage for medical reasons, and "went ahead to write the supplementary examination for which he did not register.